^'^>C4z^. 



Tfi^^AT- Z' 




BLOW FOR BLOW. 

A DRAMA, 

IK A PROLOGUE AIID THREE ACTS. 



By HENRY J. BYRON, 

Author of "£100,000," "Dearer than Life," " The Lancashire 
Lass," etc., etc. 



AS FIE8T PRODUCED AT THE HOLBOEN THEATRE, LONDON, 

UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MISS FANNY 

JOSEPHS, SATURDAY, SEPT. 5, 1868. 



TO WHICH ABE ADDED, 



A description of the Costumes— Synopsis of the Piece— Cast of the Characters 

—Entrances and Exits— Relative Positions of the Performers on 

the Stage, and the whole of the Stage Business. 




Jl I to - S Of l< '• 

ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 

No. 33 Rose Street. 




SCHOOLi. A Comedy. In Four Acts. By T. W. Robertson. Price 15 
'^OW J Cents. 
SEADT. I ITS THE THE AVRONO HOf SE ; or, No. 6, Duke Street* 

A Farce. By Martin Becher. Price 15 Cents. 



MCiBAflrmvkl* 



DE WITT'S Acting plays. 



J^~ Please notice that nearly all the Comedies, Farces and Comediettas in the following 
list o/Ds Witt's Acting Plats" are v^ry mitablefor represeiUation in sr/uUl Amateur Thta- 
tres and on Parlor Stages, as they need but tittle extrinsic aid from complicated scenery or 
expensive costumes. They have attained tJieir deserved popularity by their droti situations, 
exceJient plots, great humor and briiliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that they are the 
nwst perfect in every respect of any edition of plays ever publlsfied either in the United States 
or Europe, whether as regards purity of the text, accuracy and fulness of stage directions and 
scenery, or elegance of typography and clearness of printing. 

*,* In ordering please copy the figures at the commencement of each piece, which indicate 
the number of the piece in "De Witt's List of Actiss Plats." 

t^° Any of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price — 15 
cents each. 

Address, ROBERT M. DE WITT, 

.Vo. JJ Xofe Street, .Xetf York. 

13^ The figure following the name of the Plar denotes the number of 
Acts. The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters — M. maU; 
F. female. 



No. M. 

73. Adrienne, drama. 3 acts 7 

114. Anything for a Chan^, comedy, 1 3 
167. Apple Blossoms, comedr. 3 acts. . . 7 

93. Area Belle ^The), farce, 'l act 3 

40. Atchi. comedietta. 1 act — 3 

89. Aunt Charlotte's .Maid, farce. I act.. 3 

192. Game of Cards (A), Ci medietta. 1 3 
166. BardeM r.<. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. 6 

41. Beautiful Forever, farce, 1 act 2 

141. Bells iThei. drama. 3 acts 9 

67. Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act.. 7 
36. Black Sheep, drama. 3 acts 7 

160. Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 

70. Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 

179. Breach of Promise., drama, 2 acta.. 5 

25. Broken-Hearted Club, comedietta, 1 4 

a4. Cabman. -Vo. 93, farce, 1 act. 2 

1. Caste, comedy, 3 acts 5 

69. Cauaht by the Cuff, farce, 1 act 4 

175. Ciisf upon the World, drama, 5 acts. 10 
55. Catharine Howard, tiistorical play, 

3acts 12 

80. Charmins pair, farce. 1 act 4 

65. Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts 6 

68. Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3 9 
76. Chops of the ChanneCfarce, 1 act. 3 

149. Clouds, comedy, 4 acts 8 

121. Comical Countess, farce, 1 act 3 

107. Cupboard Love, farce. 1 act 2 

152. Cupid's Eve-Glass, co-nedy, 1 act... 1 

52. Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act 3 

148. Cut off with a Shillinsr, comedietta, 

1 act T 2 

113. C.vriirs Success, comedy. 5 acts — 10 
199. Captain of the Watch (The), come- 
dietta, 1 act 4 

20. Daddv Gray, drama, 3 acts 8 

4. Dandelion's Dodges, far. e, 1 act 4 

22. David -anick, comedy, 3 acts 8 

96. Dearest Mamma, comedietta. 1 act, 4 

16. Dea er than Life. drama,3 acts i 

5S. Deborah V Leah' drama, 3 acts 7 

1£. Deenoot. farce. 1 act 5 

71. Doin;;forthe Best, drama, iactj,. 5 
1«. Dollars and Cents, comedy, Jacis.. 9 



T. '. XO. 
3 21. 



3 
1 
2 
3 
3 
3 
5 
6 
1 

1 1 

2 
3 

II 

3 . 131. 
28. 
5 151. 
3 ■ 8. 
5 180. 

3 19. 
2 60. 
7: 187. 
1 : 174. 
1 i 64. 
1 I 190 
1 i 191. 

, 197. 

1 i 18. 

4 I 

I 116. 

2 I 

4 ; 129. 

2 159. 

3 122. 
3 177. 

5 100. 



Dreams, drama, 5 acts 6 3 

DuchessdelaV'alliere. play, 5acts.. 6 4 

Easy Shaving, farce, 1 act 5 2 

Everybodys Friend. comedv,3act8, 6 5 

Estranged, an opi.Tetta. 1 act 2 1 

Faus: audilarsuerite, drama, 3 acts, 9 7 
Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials, 

interlude. 1 act 4 1 

Female Detective, drama. 3 acta. ...11 4 

Femande, dnima, 3acts 11 10 

Fifth Wheel, comedv. 3 acts 10 2 

First Love, comedy,' 1 act 4 1 

Foiled, drama. 4 acts 9 3 

Founded on Facts, farce, 1 act.. . . 4 2 

Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act 7 4 

Genrude's Monev Bos. farce. 1 act. 4 2 
Golden Fettor (Fettered*, drama, 3 11 4 
Goo?e with the Golden Eggs, farce, 

1 act 5 3 

Go to Putney, farce. 1 act 4 3 

Happy Pair, comedietta. 1 act 1 1 

Hard C;ise (A i. farce, 1 act 2 

Henry Dunbar, drama, 4 acts 10 

Heniy the Fifth, historical plav, 5 38 

Hes a Lunatic, farce. 1 act '. ... 3 

Hidden Hand, drama. 4 acts 5 

His Own Enemy, farce. 1 act 4 

Home, comedv. 3 acts 4 

Household Fairv. sketch, 1 act 1 

Hunting the Slipper, farce, 1 act 4 

High C. comedietia. 1 act 4 

Hunchback (,The>, play, 5 acts 14 

If I Had a Thousand a Year, farce, 

1 act 4 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, original Irish 

stew, 1 act 3 

In for a Holidav. farce. 1 act 2 

In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act. . . 4 

Isabella Orsini, drama. 4 acts 11 

I Sha I In\-ite the Major, comedy, 1 4 

Jack Long, drama, 2 acts '.,. 9 

Joy is Dangerous, comedy. 2 acts. . . 3 
Kind ro a Fault, comedy," 2 acts.... 6 

Lridy of Lyons, plav, 5 acts. 12 

Lanie Excuse, farce. 1 act 4 



i( 



BLO¥ FOU blow: 

IN A PEOLOGUE AND THREE ACTS. 
Br HENRY J(^'bYEON, 

Author 0/ " jeiOO,000," "Dearer than Life," "The Lancashire Lass," etc., etc. 



AS FIRST PRODUCED AT THE HOLBOEN THEATRE. LONDON (UNDER 

THE MANAGEMENT OF MISS FANNY JOSEPHS), 

SATURDAY, SEPT. J, 1868. 



TO WHICH IS .4DDED 



A DESCPIPTIOX OF THE COSTCMES — CAST OF THE CHARACTERS EK- 

TnA.VCES AND EXITS RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PER- 

FOKMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE 
OF THE STAGE 



NEW YORK : 

ROBERT M. DE WITT, PUBLISHER, 

NO. 83 HOSE STREET. 



This Drama -was first entitled " John Denman's Debt," but, upon the announce- 
ment, it was changed lor tear of reflecting on persons of that name. 



2 BLOW FOB BLOW. ' " 

CAST OF CHABACTERS. > *^^ -*^ 
Characters in the Prologue. 

Holbo7-n Theatre, Lon-Boston (Mass.) Museum, 
don, Sept. 5, 1868. Noveviber 30, 1868. 

Joeiah Craddock (a Portsmouth 

Lawyer— first Old Man) Mr. Lunt. Mr. W. H. Smith. 

John Drummond (his Clerk— Charac- 
ter Comedy) .. 1 Mr. J. C. Co-WPEB. Mr. F. Hap.denbeugh. 

Charley Sprag^s (his Second Clerk- 
Low Comedy) Mr. George Honey. Mr. W. Warren. 

Lieutenant Linden (Juvenile Come- 
dian) IVIi-. Henry Haynes. Mr. L. R. Shewell. 

Mr. Bolden (of Bolden & Green -Util- 
ity) Mr. W. Arthttr. Mr. J. Burrows. j 

Mr. Kenward (a Bank Manager- 
Utility) Mr. "Westland. Mr. C. L. Parwell. 

Sergeant Brent (Utility) Mr. Brook. Mr. W. Kelley. 

Mildred Craddock (Comedy) Miss Lydia Poote. Miss Annie Clarke. 

Kitty Wohbler (Chambermaid) Miss E. Weatheesby. Miss Ada Gilman. 

A LAPSE OP PIVE TEAES IS SUPPOSED TO OCCUR. 
Characters in the Drama, 

Sir Harry Linden, Bart (formerly in 

the Navy) Mr. Henry Haynes. Mr. L. E. Shewell. 

John Drummond Mr. J. C. Cowpfr. Mr. F. Haudenberu. 

Charley Spraggs (on the Turf) Mr. George Honey. Mr. "W. Warren. 

Doctor Grace (a Medical Man— Com- 
edy) Mr. Parselle. Mr. R. F. McClannin. 

Servant to Sir Harry Mr. Harrison. Mr. C. H Wood. 

Alice Petherick (a Widow, Mildred 

Craddonk's Twin Sister) Miss Lydia Foote. Miss Anme Clarkk. 

Lady Linden (Sir Harry's young Wife 

—Walking Lady) Miss Jane Eignold. Miss Louisa Myers. 

Miss Wobbler (a Milliner) Miss E. Weathersby. Miss Ada Gilman. 

Mrs. Moulsey (a lodging-house keeper 

—Old Woman) Miss Sallie Turner. Miss M. Parker. 



BILL FOB PBOGBAMMES, ETC. 
P;oZo/7!te.-MILDEED'S LOVERS. 

Scene.— AN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AT PORTSMOUTH. 

Act 7.-MILDRED'S SISTER. 

Scene.— ALICE'S LODGINGS. 

Act II.—'' MY LAfJY LINDEN." 

Scene.— THE LINDENS' COUNTRY HOUSE. 

Act I IT. 

^T^OysT FOR BLO^W"! 

Scene /.-SIR HARRY LINDEN'S STUDY. 

SccMce II.—K STREET. 

Scene 777.-THIED STORY OF A LODGING-HOUSE IN ST. JAMES'. 



Q»FT 
EST. OF J. H. CORNING 
JUNE 20. 1940 



BLOW FOR BLOW. 



SCENERT. 

PROLOGUE. — Interior. Lawyer's Office in ifh grooves. 



Backing- 




On flat, L. side, wharf, with vessels unlading ; daytime ; sunlight : closed in n. 
and L. ; the desks up c. are high, double; with rail on top between each slope ; stools 
to suit their height; table r. front ; fireplace n. 2 e. ; door l. 1 e., and in r. ; A, a 
sale on a stand, with door to open ; books on shelf within ; on side-sets and ilat, cal- 
T;ndars, date five years before present year; maps; picture of ships, etc. ; k. t. e. 
TOrner, a row of pegs over an umbrella rack. 

ACT I.— Scene. Interior. Attic, iu 3d grooves. 

Backing. 

; I Window. I 

Table. 
[^Fireplace. 



^ Chair. 




9 BLOW FOR BLOW. 

Small square of carpet down under table l. c. ; -window in f., giving view of Lon- 
don housetops ; portrait over fireplace to resemble the lady taking the part of Mil- 
dred. 



ACT II. bcENE. Interior and Garden in 5th grooves. Summer afternoon. 
Woods on Flat. ■ 5 



Tree. 
I Open. I , 



Chair. 



f 
Settee. L 



I J 

Sideboard. 



Set trees on 4th groove in tubs ; cloth down in u. e.'s for garden beds and gravel 
walks , carpet down ; it. 2 e., open archway, with curtains ; c. in 3 g. flat open, with 
curtains looped up to each side , framed pictures on walls ; statuettes and vases on 
sideboards. 



ACT 111. — ScEKE I. Library. Interior in 2d grooves ; backing of dark wall to d. l. 
in F., D. n. 1 E. and l. .' e. • table and two chairs, c. Scene II. Street in 1st 
grooves. Scene HI. Eoom and street in 5th grooves. 



-Street- 



I Open. 



Balcony. 



^Fireplace. 




BLOW Fon Blow. 

Closed in l. and r. and 2 k.'s ; in 3d grooves flat, l. c, French window to open, 
with balcony rail set out in 3d e. ; on 5th groove flat, street, the upper stories of 
houses, to make the stage level to seem to be the third floor ; moonlight effect, from 
a. u. E., upon L. 3 E. corner. 



COSTUMES, {English, present day.) 

John Drummond. — Hair rather long, with one or two locks strayinj,' rti.wu upon 
forehead ; small side-whiskers ; face lined to give a stern, firm expression 
about the mouth ; aged about forty. Prnlngiic . Black suit ; coat buttoned up 
to neck ; drab congress gaiters , hig-h hat, old-fashioned ; black cotton gloves. 
Act I.: Black high hat gray vest ; dark brown pants; black coat. Act 11.: 
High-crowned black-felt hat ; gray walking suit , black cravat. Act III. ; 
Same as in Act II ; cigar to smoke. 

JosiAH Cr.ADDOCK.— Aged fifty. Prologue: Black coat ; gray vest and pants ; black 
high hat ; black gloves ; sandy hair and side whiskers ; collar and cravat, old 
fashioned , eyeglass with black ribbon. Act III. : Dark gray suit ; low-crowned 
dark liat , wig gray, short crop ; no whiskers. 

Charley Sru.\GGs.— Proto/jTue . Black walking coat; light gray pants; black hat; 
black vest ; turn-down collar and fancy neck-scarf, with pin. Act I. : Walk- 
ing suit; gray cutaway coat, dark vest ; turn-down collar; showy scarf; 
horse-shoe pin ; light pants, with stripe down the leg ; chin beard. Act II. : 
English fox-hunter's dress ; riding hat ; whip with lash ; vest very wide at the 
bosom, to display gaudy silk scarf, which lifts up . three gold studs to his shirt 
bosom (which are to be shown during business) wig or hair curled extrava- 
gantly ; flower in coat button-hole. Act III -Scene 11 : Very ragged black 
suit; flute, out of tune, to play. Scene III.. As in Act I., but more quiet 
dress. 

Lieut. Linden.— Pro%u6 ; English naval ofiBcer's dress , blue jacket and vest with 
gilt buttons , blue cap with gilt buttons , white trousers. Act II. : Gray pants ; 
black coat : white vest (may wear moustache). Act III.- Scene I.: Same as Act II. 

Dr. Grace.- Black suit. Act 11. . Fox hunter ; black boots. 

Mu. Bolder.— Dark suit ; light overcoat ; hat and gloves. 

Mr. Kenward.— Black suit; gray wig; hat and black gloves ; side-whiskers. 

Sergeant Brent.— Black walking suit ; hat ; side-whiskers ; like a Loudon police- 
man. 

Servant. - Act HI. : Dark livery. 

Mildred Craddock.— (Doubles with Alice Petherick, her twin sister, in the 
play). Prologue : Slate-colored silk house dress, trimmed with wliite cord ; 
white fringe shoulder-ornament ; white buttons ; earrings ; necklace ; white 
cuffs and collar. Act 1.: (As Alice)- black silk jacket, black hat, to enter 
with; collar and cuffs; dark dress; face pale. Act II. ■ Same as Act I. Act 
III. . Walking dress. 

Lady Linden.- ^o< II. ■ Handsome house dress. Act III. ; Walking-dress ; hat 

Kitty Wobbler.— Pro^)!;^? .• Striped dress, light ; black silk apron, with blue trim- 
mings ; white lace cap, with ribbons. Act 1. • Ked dress , mantle : hat, with 
showy ribbons. Act II —Scene II. • Cap : apron ; enters carrying a pitcher. 

Mas. Moulsey. -Stuff dress ; hair in curls, 1S30 style ; cap. 



PROPERTIES, {See Scenery). 

Prologue ■ Books, papers, inkstands with quills, rulers, etc., for the desks and table; 
black japanned boxes, lettered " .Ship's Manifests," "A. B.," " C. & C," etc. 
Umbrellas and coats for b. u. B. corner, on pegs aud in racks ; maps on flat . 



•C BLOW FOIi BLOW. 

stools ; chairs ; horsewhip, small, for Linden to strike with ; handcuffs, to fit , 
CiiADDOCK, for Bkent to enter with. 

Act 7.— Table, chairs, round table, bureau, l. 1 e., with tea things for three; tea- 
kettle , a little red fire in fireplace ; work-bos, with scraps of cloth, sijools of 
cotton, scissors in it, on table ; portrait (8 by 10 inehesj of the personator ot 
Mildred, head only, full face ; rug to fireplace, with shovel, tongs and poker ; 
small parcel for Alice to enter with ; snuff-box for Dr.GsACE; two small 
paper packets, about the same size, to be in Sphaggs' pockets. 

^c< 7/.— Handsome furniture; note-book; miniature in case; newspaper for Lin" 

DHN. 

Aclin.—Sci'nel : Table and ten chairs; wine in decanter, wine-glasses, plate of 
wine-crackers. Satie 11. : Flute (or othar musical instrument the representa- 
tive of Spisaggs can play), out of tune ; pitcher for Kitty. Scene 111, : Table 
and chairs ; lamp, with shade, on table. 



TIME OF PLAYING-THEEF, HOUES; OR, PROLOGUE, THIRTY MIN- 
UTES-ACT 1., TWENTY-FIVE MINUIES— ACT II., FIFTY 
MINUTES- ACT III., FORTY MINUTES. 



SYNOPSIS. 



The Prologue is devoted to the betrothal of Mildred, daughter of Josiah Crad- 
dock, to a young naval officer, Harry Linden, who has a rival in the person of John 
Urummond, Craddock's confidential law-clerk. The lawyer, having embezzled some 
money, belonging to an estate, endeavors to replace it through making of a tbrged 
check. Drummocd questions the genuineness of Linden's i)assion for Mildred, and 
is severely chastized by the sailor. In revenge, and to break oil the match, Drum- 
m.ond supplies evidence for the conviction of the young lady's father, who is trans- 
ported for live years. A lapse of time intervenes between termination of the prol- 
ogue and t're commi ncement of the drama. Linden has married Mildred, who dies 
in obscurity while he is at sea. Succeeding to a baronetcy, the retired officer mariies 
a laJy of rank. Alice, twin sister to Mildred, a c'lildless widow, driven from her 
father's roof for an unfortunate marriage, is discovered by John Drummond in great 
poverty. Desirous of revenge upon Sir Larry Linden, this schemer persuades the 
widow that lier sister had died in consequence of neglect and ill-treatment at Sir 
Hurry's hands. Indignant at this cruel fate of a beloved sister, Alice consents to 
make her appearance as Linden's first wife, which she can readily do on account of 
the remarkable resemblance of the twins. The imposture is partially successful, 
when Alice, convinced that she is a mere tool in the hands of a villain, reveals the 
plot to L idy Linden. Drummond, vexed at failure of his scheme, violently assaults 
Alice, who is rescued through the opportune arrival of the convict Craddock, and 
the piece terminates with Drummond's being thrown out of a window. 

IFor Slage Directions, see page 4L] 



BLOW FOR BLOW. 



PROLOGUE. 

SCENE. — Inferior in od grooves. Launjer''s ofice. 

Discover Charley Spraggs neatcd on stool at r. desJc, reading, side face to 
Audience, and Mk. Bolder seated at b.. front table, reading newspaper. 

Bolder {impatientUj^. It, is very annoying to be kept waiting so long. 
{looks towards Spraggs) I say, it is very annoying to l)e kept waiting so 
long, (aside) Tiiat young man seems to be very dee])ly engaged in the 
paper lie is reading, {tooks at watch) Half-past-two. I say, sir! 
^ Spraggs (tians round to front on the stool). It's not my fault, sir! 

BoL. This is the second time that I have called and failed to see Mr. 
Craddock, though he knew that I was coming. It looks as if he was try- 
ing to avoid me. I repeat, sir, it looks as if he was trying to avoid me. 
(Spraggs reads his paper again) That seems to be an interesting case that 
you are reading 1 

Spraggs. Yes, sir, it is. It's an action between the Brimstone 
•Bruiser and Tommy Tripper — a most interesting case. 

BoL. May I ask in what court it took place ■? 

Spuaggs. In no court, sir. In the open field, '•' Home Circuit." 

BoL. Ah ! who was the judge ? 

Spraggs. Leary Benjamin of Mortlake, sir. 

BoL. {shakes his head). I never heard of him. 

Spraggs. Most eminent man of the "public bar." 

BoL. The da'uages heavy 1 

Spuaggs. Tre-men-dous ! "At the conclusion of the thirtieth round, 
the phiz of the gallant Tommy looked in want of repairs, while the 
Bruiser's was but a cracked speciment of the British mug divine." 

BoL Confound it, sir ! You have been reading of a j)i-ize-fii:lit. (tarni 
to table, an I writes a letter anil pals it in an envelope, which he addresses dur- 
ing the follncing. ) 

Spraggs (cnthasi-isticilUf). I glory in that sort of thing, sir! You 
may talk to me of your Timeses and Telegraphs, and Sattu-day Reviews, 
ami family Heraldses, but what T say Is, sive me the Weekly Tipster ! 
What's tile Reform Bill to me"? I don't care whether Bill is reformed or 
not. '• Foreign Intelliaence," indeed! From wjiat I have seen of for- 
eigners, I don't think lliey have any infelliuence ! I should like to know 
what tlie news from abroad has to do with me. I ain't abroad, am I "? 
Very well, then ! Look here, sir ! Self-])reservation is the first law of 
Nature, ain't it 1 and self-jjreservation is self-defence! Very well, then ! 
The first thins we do when we come into the world is to double up our 
fistesses ! Wiiy does Britaimia keep on a-triumphanily ruling of the 



' -RtOW FOR BLOW. 

waves 1 Because slie rolls up her sleeves and hits out with her left like 
a lady ! 

BoL. {carelessly). You are quite thrilling. May I inquire if ypu ai-e 
an adept in tlieaiL 1 

Spuaggs. Well, sir, I am not so j^ood in the practice, but I am quite 
expert in the theory. When I set into a row, 1 square off scientific, but 
jut as I am going to slrow the way to do it, 1 get doubled up in no 
lime. 

BoL. Ah, sorrj' to hear it. {rise-^, letter in hand) Tell Mr. Craddock 
that I called, and for the last time. [31usic, inoitrnfiiL 

Spraggs. Don't .'■ay that, sir. 

BoL. I repeat, sir, for the last time. 

Spraggs. Oh, sir ! 

BoL. Give this letter to him — and it is the last letter he will have 
from me. See that he gets that letter. [Exit d. in f. 

Spraggs. Yes, sir. {puts letter on desk, gets off stool) That's something 

hot for tlie governor. I'd like to see him talk that way to me ! I'd 

{})uts up his hands like a 2)iiffilist and spars about the stage) Come on ! 
{pushes his stool over) First knock-down blow for Spraggs. {3[usie changes 
to light for Kitty's entrance.) 

Enter. L. D., Kitty Wobbler. 
Time"! 

Kitty (l. c ). Timo ! Time for whati What are you duing, stupid"? 

Spraggs {picks up stool). I was only polishing off" a foe. 

Kitty. I tell you what it is, Master Charley! Your sporting habits 
will bo getting you into trouble some of these fine days ! 

Spraggs. AVhat does the Life say in its last number 1 Why, that " the 
proper study of mankind is — " muscle! {feels his arm) There's muscle ! 

Kitty. Is there any letters for us this morning "? 

Spraggs {gives letter). One. 

Kitty. Miss Mildred will be so glad ! {puts lette-r aivay in pocket.) 

Spraggs. If it was known that I winked at the smuggling of letteri 
between Miss Mildred and her sister, Miss Alice, that's disgraced herself, 

1 should come in for it. 

Kitty. Disgraced herself ! Nothing of the kind, sir. (c, Spraggs o» 
her right) To be sure, sho tiirew herself away on a fellow that was not 
Avorthy of her, but tiiat is no reason why her own father should drive 
her away from his door, and forbid her sister, tliat loves her so dearly, 
to even write to her. O'a, the flinty-hearted old — But there ! there ! 
{u'ipes her egcs ivith apron) it is not rigiifc to call names to ihe master whose 
bre.'id one eats. 

Spraggs. I don't eat any of his bread. He gives me a pound a week, 
and I (line where I like — ofien where I don't like! but I'd see him to 
Jericho before I'd eat any of his bread ! 

Kitty. Don't, Charley, don't 

Spraggs. AVhat do I care for liiml I don't owe him anythirig I I'll 
soon serve out my articles. 

Kitty. And nicely you'll serve them, 111 be bound ! Yes, you had 
better stick to them if you want to come out well, instead of iiaving so 
much to do with your boat-races, pri/.e-fights, pigeon-matches, cricket- 
matches, walking-matches. 

Spraggs {on her left). Kitty, there are other matches besides walking 
matches ! 

Kitty. Depend upon it, they will bring j'ou to no good. You will be 
robbing the lilt next, like young Crosby, that's what you will. 

Spraggs. Kitty, in the firsi place, tills are confined to shops. And — 



PROLOGUE. 9 

(passes his riffht arm aroundKiTiY' s tvaist) whereas the 'arm in it, where's 
tlie 'arm 1 

Kitty. Where 1 where it oughtn't to be! (puis Spraggs from her) 
Don't you be so formiller ! 

Spraggs (eamestli/). If the King of Clubs miss the Derby, you won't 
find fault with me! Kitly, I luiow a party as knows a ln'iidiv'i(:i,al, who is 
acquainted with a gentleman that is a cousin of a trainer, and lie's put 
us up to a safe tiling. Tlie King's an out-an'-out good 'un I Bless you, 
tliey're all on hira. 

Kitty {crosses l. c). All on him 1 Wliy, they'll break liis back ! 

Spraggs {laughs). Ha, ha, lia ! oh, Kitty! come, you did not mean 
to say that ! aha ! {seriously). There's no mistake about it. I've put 
every crown on tlie King of Clubs. 

Kitty, {contemptuously). He can't be much of a king to let you put a 
crown on liim ! 

Spraggs {laughs). Ha, h,?,, ha! that's a joke, Kitty. Now, you didn't 
mean that ! Tlie Navy gent that comes liere — {nods ioionrds i," d. mean- 
imjly) who mixes up wi:h the swells in all the clubs, says I am all right. 
He ought to be a sporting man, he ought. Hasn't he got a muscle \ I 
wonder what makes such a nob go to srea "? 

Kitty {innocently). Don't you know that the sea is the place for mus- 
cles ! 

Sp«aggs {in extravagant laughter). Oh, ho! Kilty, that is a good 'nn. 
But I say, Mr. Linden comes here pretty oft( n, and the young mistress 
don't seem at all inclined to keep out of his way. 

Kitty. Why shouldn't he like Miss Mildred ? It's not for lier grufFokl 
father he comes ! It's only a fortnight that the lieutenant's been a-com- 
inj; here, but J am sure that lliey will make a match. 

Sfkaggs. But he's heir to a baronetcj' — a tremendous swell ! 

Kitty {tosses her head). What of that 1 Isn't Miss Milly good enough 
for liini 1 

Spraggs. I don't mean to say she isn't ! but it will be a rise in the 
woi Id for lier. 

Kitty. All the better. But when she marries Lieutenant Linden, I 
know what she will do first thing — she will go up to London and seek 
out her sister, Alice, and make her happy, poor, dear thing ! all in spite 
of her cross-grained father, (going l.) 

Spraggs. It'll only be following me, for I am going away. 

Kitty {returns to Spraggs). You a-going awaj', Ciiarley ; what for 1 

Spkaggs. Because John Drummond has got old Craddock to discharge 
me. 

Kitty. Don't bear malice, Charley I (soothingly.) 

Spraggs (ivarmly). Why the first day as ever I came here, John 
Drummond made me look like a fool before them all ! and I wasn't tell- 
ins a lie, neither ! Ooh ! confound him for a sneak ! I'd like to give liim 
a hiding, (change of manner) But never mind him now. Kitt}', Kitty, 
give UK a kiss ! what we legal parties call a refresher ! 

Kitty (resists Spraggs playfully). Charley, you have been a-drinking. 

(L. C.) 

Spraggs. I wish I had ! T haven't taken anything to-day ! 

Kitty. Then take that! (slaps Spraggs' /we and goes to l. d.) There's 
a projier time and a proper jilace for everything, and a lawyer's office is 
not the place to have one's cap rumpled ! (mock courtesy, exit l. d.) 

Spraggs (rubs his cheek). Oh, hasn't she got a biceps ! (up r. c.) If 
John Drummond had only given me that blow, Td— I'd give his ribs 
a Brummon' ! (spars about, back to ,>. in p., ivildly) Now, come od, conw) on 
sir, don't be afraid ! don't be afraid I - ' 



10 BLOW FOn ELOW. 

Enter, D. in v., JosiAii CnADDOc;:, hai)gs up his hat, r. u. -r. corner^ comes 
dnivn to r. front table, Spraggs sicldenbj sees htm and runs to jump on 
his stool at R. desk, nearly falls off, begins writing wddly. 



Craddock {fnJcinj iff his gloves, standing by table ; sternly'). Ave you 
oftPii taken in that way, Mr. Spraggs 1 

Spraggs {faltering). It's h'oiily exercising myliinbs, sir — they get so 
cratnp'jfl witli writing ! {pause, Craddock takes seat at table, ^p-RKV.Gngels 
down from sto'd) Oh, I beg pardon, sir. Here is a letter from Mr. Bolder, 
Bolder and Green, sir. He was waiting, sir — said he had got tired of 
waiting 

CuAD (fakes letter). Hold your tongue, fool ! 

Spkaggs. Yes, sir. {returns to his desk, seated.) 

Crad. (opens letter slowly. Jfusic, mournful. Beads). Sir: — " I^am in- 
stinc ed to inform you that, uiuess you are prepared to pay us the money 
enniistedto you by our client, Mrs. Bennett, by next Saturday, we wiU 
talie coinf)ulsory proceedings against you." (long sigh) He means it! 
Bolder n-sv^r barks without a bite. Curse the old woman and her 
money ! Why did I ever take the care of it ] Yet there is a way ! one 
way! (thoughtfully) What else can I do ? just when everything is going 
on so well, too, between Mildred and Lieutenant Linden. Mildred will 
not be degraded like her sister Alice. It was lucky 1 took the i)recaution 
to abstract a check from the book of Captain Jackson, on the eve of 
his departure for Australia, which he will never live to reach ! I had the 
opinion of Dr. Ring, an eminent anthoity. Y'es — I'll risk it! 

Sphaggs (aside, looking up). Hi» ain't got no biceps ! 

Crad. (asi'lc). Three thousand pounds ! I might as soon liope to get 
a million ! Disgrace, ruin ! 1 cannot repay out of my own ! Jackson will 
never come back, (unlocks drawer and takes out papers. Looks round fur-/ 
fivrlg) Why do I hesitate ] (writes) Cai)tain Jackson is well on the way 
to Melbourne — he will never have missed the blank check, (aloud} 
Spraggs, you know Masterman's Bank ? 

Spraggs (gets off stool). Yes, sir. ^ 

Crad. (with an effort to speak carelessly). Take this check of Captain 
Jackson's there and get it cashed. 

Spraggs (takes ehcek). Captain Jackson's 1 

Crad. Yes. You know his hand. 

Spraggs. I know his signature, sir. 

Crad. Of course. 

Spraggs. Do you think he has got as much as that in the house? 
{puts on his hat.) 

Crad. I dai e say. Tell them to give it to you — " short." 

Spraggs. Short, nv 1 yes, sii: 

Crad. Why do you look so 1 Go ! be quick ! I liave to go out. 

Spraggs. Yes, sir. (aside, at d. in f.) I don"t like to have so much 
money about nie. Fourteen hundred pounds ! Fourteen hundred 
weeks' salary all in a lump ! [Exit quiekly, p. in p. 

Crad. (aside). How Spraggs looked at the check. I am losing my old 
nerve just when 1 most have need of it. Confound it ! How one link 
leads to another. Tempted by Mrs. Bennett's money, I speculated, and 
lost ; tempted by Captain Jackson's check-book, 1 abstracted the blank 
to retrieve my losses. 

Enter, d. in p., John Drummond. 

Ah ! who's there 1 {nervously looks round.)/ 



niOLOGUE. 11 

/ _ . ^ ^ 

DnuMMOXD (Jiangs his hat up, comes slowly to L, dcs/c). Ahem ! j'ou are 
nervous to-day. 

CuAD. Bah ! (iv.'pcs his forehead.) 

Dkuji. You should take a holiday. I begin to think you are u-anting 
a change. I thought you would have fainted the other day when I came 
in suddenly-. 

Crad. VVhat do you mean 1 

Drum. The day when you were so awfully pressed for that money 
entrusted to you ; the day when you sent me and Spraggs out for aiii 
hour ; but when I came back unexpectedly ; when you huddled up your 
papers in the drawer, and left the office. (Craddock starts. Drummond, 
asi//c) That winded him. (seated on l. stool.) 

Crad. I don't like to be watched, John Drummond. There is plenty 
for yon to do in the office without prying and peeping about. AViiat 
about those letters for ]\lason & Clitheioe 1 Do them, and send them 
at once, or you may find me less inclined than before to overlook your 
doings, (ffoes up r. c, gets. his hat and exits, with a stern glance at Dkum- 

MOXD.) 

Drum. Hem ! (gets down from stool, stands by desk). " I don't like to be 
watched, John DrummonfJ ! " I dare say not, Josiah Craddock. Be- 
cause — because — Bah ! What a short-sighted fool you are, Josiah Crad- 
dock, what a short-sighted fool. But what a deep dog you are, John 
Drummond, (s/ta/ccs hands with himself) what a deep dog, my very young 
fried. Here it is. (produces folded paper from his pocket). What would 
not our dear friend Josiali give for you, my boy John. 

( Voice of Mildred o/' l.) Kitty ! 

Drum, (puts up paper). She I 

lEnterMiLDViED, L. d. 

Mildred (speahng as she enters).- Kitty! Kitty! / I — I beg your par- 
don, Mr. Drummond, I thought Kitty was here, (returns to l. d.) 

Drum. Don't go.*I want to speak to you. _ Your presence quite lights 
up the office. /^-^ 

Mil. (coldly). You are very complimentary. , 

Drum. Perhaps I cannot be so sweet-suoken as some folks, but I can 
mean a great deal more, (cross.es to l. d.) 

Mil. (r. c). What are you doing ? 

Drum. Shutting the door. '^ Kitty, or some one might overhear. 

Mil. Overhear 1 what do you want 1 (comes ^mre front as Drummond 
tomes to c.) 

Drum. I want to speak to you.'' Don't run away before I speak, (much ^ 
feeling in his tone, but yet to be marked ivith hypocrisij) Hear me out — then 
you can do as you please. Do hear me ! Don't make me curse the day 
when my heart warmed at your bright approach. 

Mil. You frighten me, John Drummond I let me go ! 

Drum. Mildred, the first time I saw you, I loved you — i joved you so 
devotedly ! Don't be angry, don't curl your lip in scorn, or utter words 
that you might be sorry for. Mildred, I would go through fire and wa- 
ter for you ! I \vould endui-e any sufferings — there's nothing in the world 
that I would not do for j'ou. Don't speak now, if you cannot give me 
the answer, or sav I may hope. I may not be pleasing to you now — 
but give me time, just a little. I am patient. But don't break my heart 
by Words of contempt! don't spui-n my love ! Mildred, Milly ! speak! 

Mil. This is the way you spoke to my twin-sister, Alice, long ago. 

Drum. No, no I 

Mil. Yesj and that was what drove her, by you deceived, into the 



i-: ELOvr roi: siov.'. 

arms of the first man who would be her guard against you — poor trust- 
ing girl ! 

Dkum. I had not seen you tlion. You were awa.v. That was but a 
passing fancy ; I loved in her only what made ihe likeness to you. 

Mil. You waste your time, Jolin Drummond. {he talas her hands) I 
have no time for yon. Let me go. Let go j^our hold ! {angrdij.'^f 

Drum Mildred! 

TdiL. Don't tempt me to say all that I would. 

Dkuji (through his clenched teeth). Say it! 

Mil. No, don't force me to utter all the scorn and contempt I feel for 
j-ou. 

Drum. Take care ! 

Mil. {crosses to l. of him). I do not fear you. I hate you too much. 
It is thanks to ycni that my sister Alice wandered away and gave hei 
hand to the first handsome, winning scamp that she .met in her path ; 
it is thanks to you that she is this day forbidden this house, where her 
sister is lonely, longing for her. 

Drum. Take care ! I know who has come between me and your love. 
jVIil. {scornftdlij). My love for you ? 

Drum. You fancy you are safe in what he snys to you. What does he, 
with his rank, caie for you 1 He looks upon you as a toy — to trifle 
with, and then throw away. I know it. I know it by my liearl's in- 
stinct ; for I hate him as much as I love yuu. He has dazzled yon ; 
open your eyes. Why, these sailors have sweethearts everywhere. Oh, 
do not look so [)itiless. 

Enter, d. f., Lieutenant Linden, u-hip in hand, stops on seeing Mildred 
and Drummond, k. u. corner. 

Mil. How dare you utter his name 1 

Drum. Why should I respect his name 1 Believe him, and you will 
curse it, as I do. I tell you, he means to nnke you the sport of a day. 
It is a vision — and you will wake from your dream to shame and sorrow. 
He will deceive you, and then cast you oif, as sure as my name's Joini 
Drummond. 

Linden {comes to c). And so your name is John Drummond, is it 1 
-.{voice quivers with emotion. Drummond starts, comes d'>tvn r. c. front. 
Mildred goes l.) You are going to leave us, Miss Craddock 1 {sees her to 
L. D.) I will see you presently. I have sometliing to transact here. 

Mil. {aside, frightened). What will he do 1 [Exit l. d. 

Lin. {playing wUh u-hip). And now, sir, may I ask what right you 
have to speak of a stranger as you have done of me 1 

Drum. I have no time to speak to you. I have my work to do. 

Lin. {preventing him cross up l. c.) And 1 have ray work to do, Mr. 
John Drummond, since such- seems to be your name. You have taken 
the liberty to use my name in such a manner that any third person 
would admit to warrant the very sound th. ashing that I am going to 
l)resent to you. 

Drum, (hoarsely). Mr. Linden, don't you dare t> lay a finger on me. 

Lin. I am not going to lay a ^finger on you ; I am going to introduce 
your back to my horsewliip, unless you instantly apologize for the afliont 
you have seen fit to make. 

Drum. Pish ! (sneering.) 

Lin. Come, Mr. Drummond — say it was a fit of delirium, the heat of 
the weather, an early dinner — say you apologize for having passed sucii 
insults on a person whom you don't know. 



PROLOGUE. 



33 



Drum. No! 

Lix. Yoii won't 1 v /-, • f, 

Drum. Nc! ^ Quickl!,. ^ 

LiN. Then take that! j (strikes BRV'M'MOsr) with whip ; they grapple 
and St ruggln ; at end Drum.mosd is struck doun, up C, and crouches, hiding 
his fun m his hands, tdi direction to change) Now, I hope. Mr. Dnimmonil, 
(Voice LreinhUng with emotion) that will teach you to keep a civil tons;ue in 
you head for the future ! I hope the lesson will rot be lost upon yon, 
that 1 iiave given you. I may tell you now, Mr. Diumniond, tliat Miss 
Cradtlock will not wake from what you are pleased to call her dream to 
shame and sorrow, unless shame and sorrow is to be the portion of the 
bride of Harry Linden. I've done with you — get up ! 

Drum, {hoarsely, trembling). Don't come near me ! don't come near me ! 
{rises, goes to his desk and takes seat as before, hiding hisfacc.^ 

Lis. {laughingly). Not I I not I ! 

Enter, d. in f., Craddock. 

Craddock. Surely I heard 

Li.\. (c). All ! I was just transacting a little unpleasant business with 
this fellow — I believe your clerk 1 

Crad. With Druinmond ? my confidential clerk. 

Lin. {quickly). Ah ! Then 1 liave given him a lesson that will make 
hini even more confidential for the future. 

Crad. What has he done to you 1 {seated at table.) 

Li.\. Said some idle talk that earned a correction, {aside) Now, why 
should I not have it all out about Milly at once, {aloud) Mr. Ci-addock ! 

Crad. Sir ! 

Li.v. Mr. Craddock, you know who T am, and what I am. T shall 
come in to a good bit of properly on the demise of my grandaunt De- 
borah, an I when my dear old dad goes — and maj' he live, be it never 
so many years yet ! I shall be a baronet. I have seen your daughter 'M\Uh 
red not too long a while, but yet I love her, and — and I believt i mny 
think I am not indifferent to her. You would not have permitted nie t > 
visit you so often if I had been intrusive to you. D) you object to me ? 
or rather, the question is, how little do you object to me ! how little do 
you — {aside) Confound it ! {playing tvith his hat ncrvonsly) Whatabunsle 
[ am making of it! But I never did it before ' i aloud) 1 promise you I'll 
make her a good husbanl, I will, upon my soul, 1 will ! 

Crad. {rises, shakes Lixden s hand). I have observed your preference 
for Mildred for some time, and I am honored by it. If I can read a 
•lirl s heart, and I believe I can, she will give her consent. You can 
lake her to Sir Henry, and if you cannot say your biide lias a fortune 
iiid a title, you can, that she is a lady, as good a girl as any in the land. 

Li.\. Oil, I thank you sir. I thank you, Mr. Craddock I feel so 
l.appy : Damme, I could even take Drummond by the hand, (up l c, 
I. rf Drummond, stdl keeping his face from audience, leanmg on desk) I .say, 
von, sir, I am very sorry I should have been so hasty with you. Cheer up ; 
,)ne thrashing more or le.ss won't make any difference a hundred year.i 
iience. AVe were both in the wrong, and you (he worst. Here's inv 
iiand. You II make it up 1 You won't 1 Well! (^m;ws /o Craddock) I 
■;ay Mr. Craddock, if your confidential clerk brings an action against iiii\ 
) on d defend mo, won't you? {oj>ens L. D.) Milly I {E.xit, calling) ^lilly! 
.vliero aie von \ {(ffh d.) 

Crad. What does this mean 1 

Drum. {hf^J his head). Mean 1 It means ll.at I l;r.vj been lashed like 



14 BLOW roil BLOW 

a, refractory cur. It means that the game, for tlic present, is in the hands 
of your would-be son-in-law. But v.c shall seC; we shall see. 

Crad You must liave given him some grounds of offence. 

Dru.ai. No doubt. Do you say so 1 

Cr.\d. There is something in your sly and sneering manner and loolc 
which would be most jirovocative to a man of Lientenar.t Linden's fi-anlc 
and open ways. It will b3 your stumbMng-block in life, John Drnm- 
mond. Cori-ect it. {change of tone.) AVhy did yoii say, " my won!d-))e 
son-in-law 1 " He will be my son, for have I not given him my consent 
to have my daughter 1 

Dkum. There's many a shp 'twixt the cup and the lip. How about 
Mrs. Bennett's monej- that you have invested so well that it is difficult 
to call it in 1 Bolder & Green are getting impatient, and may become 
veiy disagreeable if it is not paid. 

Crad. It will be paid ! (Drummond smiles triumphantly) Before leav- 
ing for Melbourne, Captain Jackson left me a sum of money that aaiplv 
covers that petty trust. 

Drum. Ah, it is Incliy that you got it when you did, for if you had 
waited any longer, he would have died before you asked him. He was 
only sent on this voyage as a lasti resort. He will never reach Melbourne 
alive. 

Crad. I know it, ( painc) What was the cause of your and Mr. Lin- 
den's quarrel ? 

Drum. AVhat would you say if we were rivals ? 

Crad. Rivals'! 

Drum. How if I, the miserable and the lowly, have dared to raise my 
eyes to the daughter of my employer 1 

Crad. Presumptuous fool ! You must be mad. You, whom I have 
taken out of the gutter, because there was something in your sharp speech 
and eager lies that called for remark. My daughter, Mildred, never 
gave yon cause? 

Drum. Make your mind quite easj'. She has repulsed me with a scorn 
and disgust equal to your own. {aside, icith great fcelivg) The greater «iy 
iriuni])!! when my hour shall have come ! 

Crad. I supposed as much ! Mildred has a proper pride, and never 
would-have disgraced herself like my daughter Alice. No, Mildred shall 
be happy with a husband of my choice, {to Drdmmond, sternly) Stick to 
your work, and let me not hear any more of your rubbish ! {knock d. 
in F.) \Music, mournful 

Enter, d. in f., Mr. Kejiward. Sergeant Bent with SpRAGCiS, two 

POLICEMEM. KE^•WAKD COmcs clulCH K., ScRGEAi'T tO C, Vp 

Drum, {aside). Ah, in time : 

Ken. Mr. Ciaddock, may I have a word with youl 

Crad. {astcL). Kenward the bank-manager ! {confused.) 

Ken. This person, who says he is your clerk, presented a check for 
£1,400, at our house 

SprAggs. Which he had no sooner done than he was collared bv a party, 
with a biceps which 

Sergeant. Shut up ! 

Spraggs. Ye-es, sir ! {up c.) 

Ken. Was he sent by you 1 ' 

Crad. Certainly. He is my clerk. He had the tlie check, which was 
given mo by Captain Jackson just before he sailed. 

Ken. Given to you by Cautain Jaqksonl You are quite suroof tha'. 1 

Chad. Qu to sure! 



ruoLOGXTE. 15 

Ekn. Then I regret to say that it is a — forgery ! {cho) 

Ckad. ]Mr. Kenvvard! 

Ken. Mr. Craddock, the facts are liere ; before departing on that long 
•voyage to Australia, whicli. jmor fellow ! we all know the captain will 
not reach, ho found, at tlie last moment, that a check was missing from 
his book. Captain Jackson is the most methodical of men. He sent to 
us the name and counterfoil of the check, and ordered Hint the person 
presenting it should be taken into custody. You admit having sent your 
clerk Willi it, and 

Ckad. Are you advised 1 Do you cot know that this amounts to an 
accusation of forgery 1 (Deujuiond shows stgns of j re at satisfaction at each 
sentence.^ . 

Ken. It may, indeed, nmount to that. I have a most painful but im- 
portant business to perfuni. 

Crad. And you dare to accuse me on the words of a perhaps dying 
mail? Oh! have you no one to support you iu this ' shameful accusa- 
tion 1 

Drum. Yes, there is one ! {rises. Chord. Gets off stool and conies to c., 
a Utile up) The presumptuous fool'. Craddock did forge Captain Jack- 
son's name ! {general einotion, Sergeant gets handeuffs rcadij^ Do youj;e;:_ 
member, sir, {to Craddock sneerimjbj) when I came in, I iTiougWyou 
were i;p to something when I saw you writing so carefully. You whisked 
the papers into the drawer and locked it — but you toigot one thing! 
{jrrodiiees folded paper) When you had gone out, I pounced on the blotting 
l)aper, and I tore off this piece with the signature of Captain Jackson still 
wet upon it. You see, 1 have sharp eyes, as you have so otten said. 
Now, let Lieutenant Linden, take the forger's daughter to wile and be 
hajipy with her shamie. 

Ckad. Lying scoundrel, I — {rushes to Drummond ichoe/ocs up l. c. Ses- 
geaxt jwfc/s Craddock and hatideujf's him.) 

Sergeant. Sorry for it, sir! Painful duty.* 

Spkaggs {seeing handcuffs, in greed fright). Oh, oil, mv ! If I had— 
oh! . 

Ken. {aside). I always mistrusted the man, but I never thought my 
suspicions would end like this. [Music ceases. 

{ Voice of Linden, amid Mildred's laughter, off t.). Come along, Milly — 
come along ! 

Chad, (seated k., Ig table, aside). Mildred. Oli, agony ! 

Linden enters, L. D., holding jVIildked bg the hands, plagfuluj resisting ; 
both laughing and verg iitcrrg. 

Linden. Come along. She's said yes, Craddock, but 1 thought it 
would be more legal and binding, and all that sort of thinrr, if — (_,<<■« the 
pity, etc., of ihc group, st&ps c, releases Mildred^ who comes k. of him, 
amazed.') 

Ken. I am very sorry, Miss Ciaddock, I regret to say, your father Jjas 

been errested under suspicion — only suspicion, mind — of forgery. 

Lin. } T-' < 

^1,, J Forgery: 

Ken. (aside). This is terrible, poor girl. 

Lin. There must bo some mistake here. Mr, Craddock 



'■Police— Srp.AQGs. 
Cr.^ddock. (lekgeant, Decmmokd. 

K, C. C. L. C, 



16 BLOW fOK BLOW. 

DiiuM. No mistake.* The evidence is concliisivo 5 You sae he dare 
not niiJt his own daughter's eyes. 

Mtii. It is iiDt true. Father, saj' that it is not true, {leaninff over Crad- 
Docic, sees hinioaffs) Oh ! {in horrof, shrinks toward Linden, on her left") 
Sii ihose iron,! on his wrists, {hant/s her head, tvrings her hands.) 

Crad. {to Kh.N'WARD). Take me away. Tills is k.lling me. 

Ltx. {asile). T.iis se^ms all a dream ; and a few minutes back we 
ware si hap;)y. 

Dkit-M (aside). But the debt I owe you, Lieutenant Linden, is not yet, 
paid. 

LiN. Mildred, speak. 

Mil. (fir.nli/). M.\ Linden, you will not think of me, now that thishor- 
rid blow his fallen on ma. Forget me — try to forget — and I will try to — 
{sobs) O'l, fatliar, dear father ! {falls on knees beside Craddock.) 

Li.v. Forg3t you, Mildred 1 no such thing. I will move lieaven and 
eartli to clear you fathsr from this fatal charge, but failing that, it will 
be all the more rcsason tliat I should lieep my faith with you. 

Dru.m. {amtzed). Surely you would not marry the child of a convict? 

Lin. I can and I will. She may be a felon's daughter, but {draiving 
Mildred to him) she shall be an honest man's wife. 

Kisses her forehead, she fainting in his arms. Craddock looks up astonishe;l. 
DaiTMiioND looks bajlcd. Others look at the two in the centre. Masib. 
Fieture. 

Police.* 

Spragc.s.* 
Ken.* Crad,* Mil.* Lis.* DiiDiiiioND,* 



ACT r. 

SCENE.— .4/;^, Interior, in od groove.'!. 
Discover Dr. Grace r. of table, Mus. Moulsey l. of table, C. 

Dr. Grace. Yes, as you say, I am afraid there is some strange story 
connected with your lodger. I assure you, I have seen many romances 
iu my experience as a medical practitioner, in this poor neighborhood. 

Mrs. M. As I often say to myself, Doctor, if every one was to write a 
book — Ah, well, there ! {these three words form a saying peculiar to th» 
chtracter.) 

Dr. G. The worst of it is, that most people can and do write books, 
now. The caccethes scrihendi is a disease that is very prevalent. 

Mrs. M. The what. Doctor ] 

Dr. G. The caccethes scribendi, Mrs. Moul.sey. 

Mus. 'M. {i^hakcs her head). Is it catching. Doctor 1 
f Dr. G. Sometimes, {smiles) And very strongly it takes to some people. 



Police. Spkagos. 

Cbad. Mil. Lisdfn. Drummoxd. 

h.. C. C. Xu, c. 



ACT I. 17 

Mrs. M. I hope that is not what my poor lady lodger is suffering 
under. Ah, well, ihere ! (shakfs her head.) 

J)u. G. Has Mrs. Pellierick been staying here longl 

Mrs. M. It is three months since she came liere— a poor place for her, 
but she does not complain. All ! tiiat's what I call real genteelily— tak- 
ing things as they come, and never complaining, ll's what my poor 
Moulsey called pliilosophy. 

Dr. G. I know no sadder sight than that of a broken-down lady 
struggling with adversity. Mrs. Petherick had only the one child 1 

Mrs. M. Which it died since she come here. That seemed to have 
marie lier stiller than ever — as if a load was off lier mind. She has done 
IK. tiling since but, when she is not at her work, stay for hours gazing at 
. er iiictuie there, (points R.) To see her gaze at that, would make the 
tears stand in — Ah, well, there ! 

Dr. G. Strange sort of diversion. There are some of us who wouW 
not like to have to stare at our own portraits, eh, Mrs. Moulsey 1 

Mrs. M. {tarthj). Speak for yourself, Doctor ! {pause) I never hacf. 
my poi'rait to(ik but once, and that was at Greenwich Fair, where I was 
cut out all in black with a pair of scissors, in a frame, looking for all the 
world like the Empress of Russias, for sixpence, all complete, which 
IMoulsey paid all the more readily because he was took for a cavalry 
officer by the man. 

Dr. G' It is a superior work of art. (r., li/ mantel) It looks very like 
her. 

Mrs. M. Only more cheerfuller like, Doctor. Mrs. Petherick has no 
such softness in her eye now, which she has two, and they is piercers, 
as well I know, from asking her about her relations, when she fired up 
and said — Ah, well, there ! i'~^ _ ■ 

Dr. G. (to c). There is a foot on_the_stah-s. Light enough, poor 
thing — light enough, (r. c.) ~~^ 

Unto; L. D., as if fatigued, Alice (same character' s part as Mildred, in the 
Frolojuc), ivith hat and mantle on, and small bundle under arm. 

Mrs. M. Those stairs are very trying, my dear. (Mjos Alice to remove 
her hat and mantle, etc.) 

Alice, (seated r. of table, jmntiny). I am a little out of breath. It is 
such a long way from Madame Modovinci's, and I am still very weak. 

]\1rs. M. Let me help you, dear, (jm's parcel on table, etc.) 

Dn. G. Sorry to see you looking so fatigued, Mrs. Petlierick. 

Alice (smiles faintli/). Ah, Doctor! you here] (shakes hands %cith 
Grace) The sight of your kind face quite revives m?. 

Dr. G.* Think you for the compliment. 1 .'^hall tell that to Mis. 
G ;ico, to sliou' her that som^ of my patient." have taste. 

Alice. I wish, thmmii, that I had strenslh to work a little more. 

D:;. G. Cheer up ! your only weakness is tliat founded on your own 
(!os|)<inileiicy. Yuu must rouse up— you must evince -some energy to 
bha!;f> it, otK 

ALirn, To what good 1 At least it will hasten my reloas'--. 

Dr. G. (aside). A terrible lack of vital power. ( jIouJ) Have you no 
friends 1 

Alice. The unfortunate have no friends. 

Mrs. M. Oh, ma'am, you forget tlie two friends that come to see you 
so often, (tittering) That Mr. Spraggs — I do so like him, he's so funny. 

* Grace. Alice. Mrs. Mnri.sEY. 

B. e. c. I-- c. 



13 BLOW iOU ULOW. 

Alice {smiles faintly). Yes, old frieivls. They were two of my falli, 
er's servants. ■' 

Dr. G. {aside). Her father'.s servants 1 I knew she was no commoli 
person, {crosses behind Alice to l. c. tip to Mrs. Moulset) Mrs. Moulf 
sey ! ' 

Mrs. M. Yes, Doctor. 

Dr. G. Will you be Lind enough to let your boy Tommy go to my 
house for a letter ? 

Mrs. M. {curtseijs). Suttinly, doctor, suttinly! {aside to Grace) 
Don't speak to her of her relations, or if you do — Ah, well, there ! 

[Eocit, L. D. 

Dr. G. {seated Ij. of table). Mrs. Petherick, I am myself so poor a man, 
and I have seen so many trials and misfortunes in my uwn f;imily, that \ 
trust it will not be considered the act of a stranger w hat 1 do. I weuld 
not for the world be thougiit intrusive. I am not presuming because of 
my cares toward your poor child— that has been all paid for — but you 
appear so much in need of a friend, that I am so bold as to to ofler my- 
self. 

Alice {voice fall of emotion). Dr. Grace, my kind friend, I know wha^ 
you are about to say. 1 know that I am weak, but I have no one now 
but myself to work for. I may be growing weaker and weaker every day] 
but 1 shall last too long as it is, I shall live on to the end. 

Dr. G. I do not like to hear you speak so. This is a morbid feeling 
and should be discouraged. Have you no friends 1 j 

Alice. A^one that I can seek. My father, angry at my marriage witli 
a man of whom he did not approve, spurned me from his door with a 
curse upon his lips. That he was right in his opinion, Kfound too soon, 
for my husband left me all alone in London, with my child. 

Dr. G. And he 1 

Alice. He, my husband"? He was drowned in a storm on Uie Atlan- 
tic, {rises) I wonder did he think of his wife and dying child as he passed 
away in the night 1 Did he hear {coming a little forward) the weak 
prayer of his deserted wife in his ear as the wild sea swept him to his 
death! {pattse. Returns to seat) But all this is painful to me. {seated.) 

Dr. G. I see you have endured hard trials. Tliey must have been hard 
to have changed you so. That portrait of yours {pomts r.) has a chew- 
ful look. 

Alice. That portrait 1 That is not my portrait, Doctor. 

Dr. G. No 1 It is strangely like. 

Alice. It is that of my twin-sister. 

Dr. G. Then she 

Alice. She is dead, {rises and crosses to n) We loved each other 
deeply, dearly. She never suffered a single pain that was not sure to 
find its fellow-pang in my heart. I loved her far more even, than she 
knew. My darling, darling Mildred ! {looking at picture, leaning both 
elbows on mantel, hands clasped) In her youth dead— dead before she 
knew all that I would have done for her — for I loved her greater than 
words can tell — I love her. how she shall know, for — in a little while — 
I shall be with her again, {looks upward.) 

Dr. G. {pretends to take snuff, blows his nose, etc., to hide his emotion.) I 
did wrong to start her on that topic, {rises, aside) I must devise some mean.( 
of getting the poor airl away from tiiis gloomy place, {aloud) Mrs. Pethe- 
rick, (Alice comes to her seat, and takes seat during the following) I cannot 
see you for some dnys. I am going down into Gloucestershire, for my 
annual visit to an old friend's house; my old friend is dead, rest him! 
but his son, the baronet, whom, by the way, I assisted into the world, 
has lately married a charming 3'oung wife, and I expect to spend a pleas- 



ACT I. 19 

ant — (Alice is looking front into vacanci/) Ah, she is paying no attenlioa 
to me. Up in the clouds. 

Bitter, L. D., Kitty, hat and cloak on, stops ahruptly. 

Kitty. Oh, I didn't know as there was anybody here. 

Alice {starting, smiles), Dou't go, Kitty. It is my friend, Dr. Grace. 
(Kitty curtseys.) 

Dr. G. (aside). That Kitty, whoever she is, has a most charming face. 
I say, {beckons Kitty to htm, l. c.) you come here often and see Mrs. 
Petherickl 

Kitty {aside to Dk. G.). I should come here a good deal more oftener, 
sir, on'y that I can't get out. 

Dr. G. Your sweet face will cheer her up, my girl, {goes'ttp c. to speak 
with Alice.) 

Kitty {aside). What a nice old gentleman. For all the world like 
father, on'y that he is a deal more sober-looking. 

Dr. G. {comes down to Kitty, l. c). Mind, you will come se3 Mrs. 
Petherick whenever you can. {chucks Kitty under the chin) Come often, 
you know. 



Untcr Spraggs, hat on, l. d., seeing Dr. Grace and Kitty. 
am not going to.'' 



Kitty. I will, sir. 
I Alice. Don't go, Kitty. 

Kitty {r/oi>!g to c). I an 

Dr. G. Good-bv. / 

y [Ex'* Alice and Dr. Grace, l. d. 

Kitty. Good-by, sir. {curtseys.) '"■'- 

Spraggs {comes doivn i,. c, gravely). Kitty! Miss Wobbler ! 

Kitty. Charley ! Mr. Spraggs ! Oh, begging of his parding — C. 
Spraggs, Esquire. 

Spraggs. I don't think you did see Spraggs, Esquire. ' Catharine, 
wliat did that old rhododendron mean by chucking you h'under the 
cliin 1 I'd punch his 'ead if he wasn't aged. 

Kitty, ^eep your low observations from the sporting stables to your 
company. 

Spraggs. Pre-haps you prefer the company of anybody but me in 
general, and that of old gentlemen in pertickler. 

Kitty. Oli, thank you," very well. I'd have you to know that there is 
as good fi.sh in the .sea as e\er come'd li'out of it I 

Spraggs. What do you know about the seal 

Kitty. Know ! Wliy, I kep' company with a marine once. 

Spraggs {scornfully.) Oh, oh ! 1 remember him. A marine — neither 
one tiling nor I'ntlier ; good for nothing. 

Kitty. Yes, he was! {stamps her foot) And I should think J ought to 
know. 

Spraggs. Pooh ! why he had no biceps on his arms. 

Kitty (innocently). They don't have them till they get to be corporal. 

Spraggs {looks puzzled, then- suddenly latighs loudly). Oho! oh, the h'ig- 
norance of the gal. Oh ! AVell, I would have a sailor or a soger, and 
not a h'amfibberous animal. 

Kitty. Who are you a-calling amfibbercus 1 He was in a profession, 

Spraggs. So am I. (Kitty looks surprised) The turf. 

Kitty {contemptHously). Call that a profession, {tosses her head.) 

Spraggs. Oh, I've got my irons in the fire. I'm engaged to— 



20 BLOW FOR BLOW. 

Kitty {approaching him). Yon are li'erigaged to me. You ain't a- 
going lo deceive me are you, Cliarleyl {feelingly.) 

Spraggs. I'll see you farther first. 

Kitty. Oh, that's all very well, when you know that I'm a h'orphan. 
{tcipcs her egrs.) 

Spraggs. First thing, I am engaged to Captain Crasher, to he his rac- 
ing intelligence clerk; it just fits ni« — but on'y till the result turns up 
ortlie Great Idelburg German Lottery. Oh, I've let that out, and I 
never meaned to say a word on it. If my number turns out a prize, as 
they do sometimes, won't I cut shop, though 1 

Kitty. A lottery ! oh, wliat made you think of that 1 

Spraggs. Oh, I w^as put on it by Jem Gregson. 

Kitty. Who's Jem Gregson 1 

Spraggs. A party as you don't know. The luckiest dog ! He looks 
at a horse, the horse wins ; he talks ten rninu'es with a gal, and she 
falls dead in love with him; he goes down into the country to a party 
as asked him to give him a call, and the party dies off hand and leaves 
liim all his i)ropertj-. Yes, he's given me the tip and we've gone shares 
in the lo;terv ticket — Grand Prize, £-5000. 

Kitty. £5000 ! What would you do with £5000 ? 

Spraggs. Do 1 I'd put every blessed j)Pnny of it on Jessie Brown ! 

Kitty (angrilg). Wiio is she, I should like to know 1 

Spraggs. The favorite! bless you, she's on h'everybody's lips just at 
jiresent. 

Kitty. I daresay ! The hussy ! (stamps her foot.) 

Spraggs. She ain't a hussy ! she's a hossey 1 (Kitty goes up c, fret- 
ting) Now, that's witty ! I can't think of these here things when I'm at a 
meeting of the Sociable Dandelions, and that fellow Sneaksb)^ gets up a 
lofty reputation — all with some low riddles, as : AVhy is a somethink or 
other — like somethink or other h'else 1 Bah ! call that clever ! 

Kitty {comes down c.) There you go ! always talking to yourseff . so 
mysterious-like ! ^ 

'^ntcr, t. D., Alice. 

Alice. At it again ? {laughs) Oh ! lovers' quarrels ! Do go and get 
married, and live happy forever afterwards, as the story-boolc says, {takes 
chair r. of tabic.) 

Kitty. It's Charley, lie"s so aggerwating ! {goes up o.) 

Spraggs. No, it's Kitty, as knags! 

Kitty. Nags ] More of your hossey-fied language ! 

Spraggs. I suppose marine allusions world bo more in your line! 
Y'ou would like me lo talk about marlin sjjikes and salt junk, and old 
Tom Cowling, and shivering my limbers, {hitches up hi<! pants sailor fashion) 
Bui I wont! (Alice is setting the table but Kitty makes ' •• sit down again, 
and I'-rgs it herself.) 

Kitty. No, you must leave me do it. I mustn't play the lady to-day. 

Alice {laughing faintlg). Then be quick, for I declare I quite wantmv 
tea. 

Kitty. OIi, I'm glad to hear you say so. {cla^js her hands) It does one 
good, {corner down c. to Spraggs, at l. c. front) Now then, whore's that 
teal (Spraggs gives her paper package from his poehet. She goes up to 
table, and is about opening it over tea-pot, xchcn she shoivs disgust Comes 
doxcn to Spraggs, angrilg) Why, you nasty thing, it's 'bacca ! 

Spraggs {takes out another paper and takes the other). Oh, you're so per- 
tickler, you are ! Don't be in a n'urry. (Kitty goes up to table) One is 
as strong as the other, I know. ' _ , _ 

.Kitty {makes tea). IJ)oughtjt, and I know it's 'good,""strong Congou. 



. ACT I. 21 

because I got it at the place wliere I always go — and there's a young 
man there, as knows me, with such lieyes ! (Spbaggs is inter est ed) and 
allays gives me an extra phich. {^fraggs starts) We've brought it all for 
you. 

Alice (smiles). I declare, you quite keep me hi tea. 

Spraggs. And she keeps me in hot water. 

Kitty [goes to fireplace, b., to take the kettle). What do you mean by 
that 1 

Spraggs. What do you mean by talking to me about the young man 
wilh a heye ! He may 'ave a lieye, but he hasn't got a bicej)s ! {doubles 
up his fist, goes up i^., fills a pipe or any ether business, during folku-iag ; seated 
L. of table.*) 

Kitty. No, no ! you sit down, dear, and let nie do everything. Did 
the old Doctor say that you wei e any belter 1 

Alice. No worse. I should like to be nble (o woik more. I get on 
very slowly. Ofttimes I find my eyes wandering tuni my work, and 
seeing the sights of bygone days. Then I semi to most fully realize my 
loss, and the ringing of the voices in my ears th;!!. I shall never hear in 
truth again, nearlj' drives me frantic ! 

Kitty {kneels r. side of Alice, and puts her rrnis up around her neck, 
lorii/glg). I know how sad your trials have been, but don't give way like 
that. You ought to hear how Madame goes on all day. (iMitatcs elderly 
French tvoman's accent) " Piznis pad, piznis guin' to rack and ruin I no- 
])ody puyin' nnytmg ! All te ponnints a tead loss ! " But I say to her: 
" Ciieer up, M.idame Modovinci, crying won"t mend the matter; it's a 
lona lane that has no turning ! when things are at their worst, they will 
mend." So with you, dear ! It can't rain all the time. Misfortune gets 
tired of hammering at a person, and gives it up as a bad job. Don't grieve, 
cheer up I Oh, there you go asain ! (Spraggs takes out his handkerchief) 
Oh ! it ain't right of you. (sobbing) If you make me cry, I shall go away 
and never come again. 

Alice {fearfulli/). I am ungrateful, but I cannot help it! I must 
seem perverse to dampen your joy with my continual grief, whenever 
you come to see me. Why you do come I can hardly telL I only make 
you as miserable as myself ! 

Kitty. Why ] do you think I can forget all the kindness you used lo 
show to me 1 all the cares I had from your dear sister Mildred 1 

Alice. Kitty ! {xvccps, bending over Kitty and embracing her.) 

Kitty. I declare, I won't come here again! Don't! Why don't you 
bear up ] Don't, don't, that's a good dear! {rises) You ought to make 
me happy ! (Spraggs has his face in his handkerchief, Kitty crosses round 
table to him) Why don't you make me happy ! {slaps his shoulder.) 

Spraggs {chocking). Oh ! why did you strike me when j'ou see I was 
overcome 1 

Kitty. You great baby ! 

Tpraggs {rubs his shoulder^. Ain't you got a biceps, that's all ^ 

Kitty. A great hulking fellow, it's all your fault ! 

Alice. Don't mind her ! She didn't mean it. 

Kitty. Ycr;, she did mean it ! (gets the tea.) 

Spraggs. She might as well have meant it, while she was about it ! 

Kitty {seated at head of table, pours out tea, gives cup to Alice, sweetly) 
There dear ! {gives cup to Spraggs roughly) Tlierc's your tea, stujiid ! 
(Spraggs liolds the cup back to her) What do you want now 1,' ' 

* Kitty., 
Alice.* : Tabic. ; * SpuaggS; 



Uli • BLOW rOK JULOW- 

SpRAOffS, Yon might as well fill the oip wln'le you are about It, 

Kitty {puts more tea in cup, nearl;/ scalding SpRAoas' hand holdirKj ii\ 
Tliere ! (Spragcs tastes it, offers it agavn) What do you want '\ 

SpRAr.Gs. Sugar, please, 

Kitty. 1 gave you some ! 

Spraogs. Tiien I should like more! (Kitty gives more sitgar-lnmps, 
some falling onf.oor, he picks them up imd pretends to put them in his cup.) 

Kitty. Now, you will be wiiniinsr some bread and butter, I suppose 1 
(Spraogs, spoon in his mouth, nods) There you are ! {gives slice of bread 
rongklg, Spraggs gets up and holding the bread high up, looks all about i.iin, 
going to l. d.) Where are you going 1 

Spraggs {returns'). What do you say 1 

Kitty. Where are 5-ou going "? 

Spraggs. To look for the butter! {fairs his seut,Kmr spreads Ircaa 
angrily.) 

Kitty. Anything more 1 (Spraggs' mouthful ivith bite of bread, shakes 
his head. To Alice, pleasantly) Ain't this nice and cozy 1 Just as a 
body would wish it. Oli, I was going to tell you I had sucii a fright to- 
day! As I was coming along tlie street from Madame Modovinci's, T 
ran up against a person that reminded me of John Drumrnond ! (Alice 
starts and takes an interest in the speech. Spraggs looks up and makes signs 
to Kitty for her to he silent) It gave me quite a turn! I never could a- 
bear that man ! With a low ?oice, so innocent-like, but a-sneering at 
you all tlie while ! and his cold, creeping way of starting up behind your 
back when you did not know he was even in the room ! Oil, lie was a 
wiliin, that Jolui Drumrnond, one of your quiet sort, lie was ! buta-watch- 
ing of you all the while. I remember one day when I came in wlieu he 
and your sister Mil 

Spraggs {puts cup and saucer on table, and stiffens in his chair as if chock- 
ing, knees touching, feet turned outwards, hands hanging stiff, head on one 
side, tongue out). Ag-gug-gug ! 

Kitty {rises, thumps his back). Where's youi manners 1 What are 
you choking fori {business of reviving Spraggs, ivho has spasms, etc.) You 
are a nice young man for a small lea parly, you are. 

Spraggs {aside to Kitty). You're touching on a tender point. You 
don't know the history. Don't mention John Drumniond's name. 

Kitty {same to him). Why didn't you stop me 1 

Spraggs. I nearly stopped m5-self. 

Kitty {in her place, as before). As I was a-saying : how mistaken one 
may be. When I looked agin 1 found it was no more like hiiu than 
Charley j'onder. {aside to Spraggs) But it was him, as plain as if he 
was here. 

Spraggs {aside). Oh, woman, woman ! wliat lies you can tell ; and 
what a h'innocent look you can wear when you are a-telling of 'em. 

Alice {thoughtfully). John Drummoiid's name awakens feelings that I 
liojjed dead forever. I have not thouaht for a long while of him. 

Spraggs {aside to Kittyj. Slie don't know that his evidence led to 
hei- father's transportation. Oh ! {starts, looks ovCr his shoulder ) 

Kitty. What now ? 

Spraggs {clinking his spoon against his cup, nervously). \ — I — thought 
I see tlie door open. 

Alice {laughing). The tea is making us all nervous. 

Spraggs {laughing forcedly). Come now, that's a good 'un. 

Enter Mrs. Moulsey, with letter, l. d. 
I should like to see h'any tea, whether it "was sold by the yoUhg gent 



ACi I. 'J.-6 

witli (lie h'eye or nof, capable of ni.ikii'ig me nervous. (I\Irs. Moulskt, 
behind hii)i,taps him on the nhmdilcr. Intense frighl) Oil, Lor'! {Jinady 
looIcuKj down, sees her dress, grcdacdly lifts his eyes, sees her smiling, forces a 
lauyh. All Innyh, each j'.ining %n tinlil all are htuyhing very iteartiy.) 

Mus. JI. I beg yi)Uc parding, Mr. Spra^^gs, but yuu're wauled. 

Spraggs. Wanteds {parcdyzed ivithfear.) 

Mrs. M. A pei-son with this letter. 

Spkaggs {t((kes letter). Oli, Ir.iiu Captain Crasher. 

^Irs. M. Ciiptiiig Crasher 1 Well, he wauts you — but he don't look 
much like a hOfiicer. 

Spraogs. Ah ! not like a shevilTs officer 1 Ha, ha ! {opens letter, hesi- 
tatingly) From Jim Gregson. "Charley, my Ancient B iton ! " I'm the 
Ai.cieiit liiiton. Oh, I can't read it. I've got a iiresenliment. {falls into 
Chan:) 

Alice. Good ne\v.s 1 

Spraggs. " JNly old — " Oh, it's too much for me. 

Mrs. M. Ah, well, there ! {Exit, l. d. 

Spraggs. Here, Kitty, read it for me. (Kitty taJccs letter and eonus to 
L. v., front.) 

Kitty, '• Cliailev, my Ancient iiriton, my old look again." His old 
loc'k \ 

Spkaggs. He means hick, luck. 

Kitty. " Old luck again.'' Ye::-. " The ticket lias turned up a jirize 
in the Roj'al German Lottery ; we have pulled a thon. :ip;ece.'' X tiiuw ] 
does he mean a pig 1 

Spraggs. A thousand pounds ! Now, wliat do you think of my sport- 
ing habits •? 

Kitty {reads). " Come to the King's Arms, where awaits your fiiend 
and old ])al, Jim Gregson." 

Alice {eomes down). I congratulate you. 

Spraggs. Thank you, ma'am, {to Kitty) 'What do you think of Jhn 
now ] 

Kitty. Why, Jim's a gom'man. "What are you going to do with tlie 
money ] 

Spraggs Get it first. 

Kitty. He's waiting. Go to liie King's Arms. 

Spraggs. First, you come to your kings arms, (embraces Kitty) I. 
say. Kilty, the first tiling we must do is, do something for Miss Alice 
he;e. 

Kitty. Charlej', you speak my sentiments exactly. (Spraggs dan es 
lip and down L. side in extrav iganl joy. Kitty goes to get her things and 
pats them on) Good-by, dear. I must go witli him, or else he'll be for 
tailing under a cab, or throwing hisself over a bridge, {ap l c ) Good- 
by, dear. I'll tell you all about it. 

Alice. Good-by. 

Spraggs {at -l. B.,ivifh Kitty on Iiis arm). You thought Jim was a 
].aily as was to be despised ; but as the poet so beautifully words it : 
'■ Full many a Jim of purest ray — (Kitty drays him oat, hcretarnsa little) 
All serene f" [E.rit with Kitty, l. d. 

Alice {by fable). They are happy. . Do I envy them 1 {parse) Ko. I 
will try to w(n'k. {takes things from work-ht)icyT\\'\\\ try to be happy, too. 
I \yill endeavor to forget the past, if 1 can. {sews a little) John Drnihinoiid ! 
■Wiiy should I be afraid at the mention of his name ? She .'■aid she was 
mistaken. She may have been. Does time, the great Physician, cure 
all the wounds of the mind 1 {thoughtfully looking front, a ,iitie turned tc 
the right.) 



24- ULUW FUU liLOW. 



Enter, L. d... John Drummond. 

Deummond (comes down l.). Tliere slie is. She is alone. How lil<e — 
how lilie her iwiii-sisler, Mildied. I have found her ! {goes up to l. side 
cf table) Alice! (pause) Alice! 

Alice (starts). Ah! John, John Drummond ! (alarmed.) 

Dkum. Alice, you have not forgotten me 1 

Alice. I have forgotten nothing. 

Drum. Nov forgiven me 1 

Alice. Long since. 

Drum. 1 feared I never should find you. 

Alice. Wliy did you seek mel 

Drum. To have news of you. 

Alice. I live in the past, for I have forgotten nothing. I wish that I 
could ! 

Drum, (seated l. side of table). I had given up my searches for you, 
wlien I met your old servant, Kitty, in the street, 1 followed her liere. 
(Alice hardly listens) Have you heard all the particulars of the misfor- 
tune to your old home 1 

Alice. I have iieard little and care less. Wliat do you want with me "? 
To deepen my sorrow and destroy my few dreams of peace 1 'Tis use- 
less. Your presence l)as sufficiently troubled me. I know you, now, re- 
member. You cannot deceive me again. 

Drum. I want you to aid me in a task that must be accomplished — 
that shall be accomplished, as sure as my name is John Drummond ! 
Do you ever think of your sister, Mildred \ 

-Alick (throwing off her lassitude, and from this out, more and more excit- 
edlii). ^lildred ! 

Drum, (aside'). I see that the old love has not lost its charm, (aloud) 
You liave not forgotten lier ? 

Alice (feelinghj). Foi gotten her ? I tliink of nothing else ! 

Drum, (aside). \ knew as much ! (aloud) Well, I seek you to aid me 
in a i)lan of revenge upon our enemy. 

Alice Our enemy 1 you and I joined in a jdan of revenge. I don't 
understand how such a thing can be. 1 have not an enemy in the world 
that I liave not forgiven. 

Drum, (aside). My task is more difficult than I had anticipated. I 
ho'd a trump card "though. Shall I play if? (aloud) Your sister Mil- 
dred married Lieutenant Linden, who took her from me. She died 
separated from us. Do you know the ciicumstancesi 

Alice. No. 

Drum, (aside). Thai's well, (aloud) Alice Petherick, you must remem- 
ber that he was the heir to a baronetcy, in all things apt to fancy himself 
above your sphere. AVell, when he went away to sea, he was tired of 
his passing fancy and he left her — he left your sister Mildred — to die 
among strangers in a foreign land, and when they told him of her death, 
he asked no further, in his eagerness to enjoy his newly acquired free- 
dom. You say you loved y-^ur sister ? 

Alice (frenziedhj). Said I loved .her! I would lay down my life for 
her. (rises.) 

Drum. Will you aid me to revenge her wrongs 1 

Alice. Her wrongs 1 Tell me more. 

Drum. Wliat would you do to the gay sailor who left his young and 
trusting love to die ere months were over? Wliat would you do if I tell 
you that he drove her to her death by neglect and iinkindness, breaking 
her heart so surelv that siie was as one dead from the fir.st ] What, 



ACT II. 25 

U-nukl ynu (L. {o liiin wlio loft licrtoJie in n, Qislant grave, uninonrned, 
wiUioal Iht sisiei-'s tears upon the mould, without remorse, while lie — he 
tlio caii'liv-s villain — (• i;:cimIs the very fact of his youlhfiil misilocd..so 
that \i'' in:iy ihi- l-ss olisi |■^l■!^>(l, iiian-y another whom he esteemed her, 
your ^ailll(■a >is;iT: uui wnii'ny to precede 1 You can repay him for his 
treaciiery. Say that you will! 

Ai,icii (ii/sjiu'r ! ihinmj tlif nlmrp f,irrn(f<t;i). AVhat will I do, John Druin- 
inonil ] What will I do I (fn/ /rrh hnt wUl> force) You know— (40//) you 
know how precious inv dariiiiL,' Mldro 1 was" to me, and you ask me what 
would 1 do to repav ilif wiotcli \\\\n t:illi-l with her i)uro love 1 I aru 
no lon^ei- weak ! (I'l. I liav,' fju'id my sir u'^th, in llio depths of my old 
fondness for iier that is gone. You need not tell me your ])lan. To be 
yours, John Diummond, it must be cunninsr and deeji-laid ! I will be 
your slave ! Nothin<T shall divert me from the ])ath ! Hand in hand let 
US seek, him ! step by step I will follow him, until I have repaid him 
blow for blow ! {strikes with her right hand, and sets her rijht foot, planted 
forward, as if on a fallen hodij. Drummond looks triumphant) -^ 

QUICK CURTAm. 



ACT ir. 

SCENE.— T7//rt Inlerlo)'. 

Fjrtter, in conversation as th'^'i enter, p. i'l f., from L. L'. K.? Dr, Grace and 
l.i.NUE.\, coming down c. 

LixnEx {!oiighing). Ah, my dear Doctor, you will have"ybur joke. 
Fresh air and exercise sharpen up the wit. 

Dr <t. {whip under his arm). Fresh air and exercise double one's life. 
Ah! Nature's the true ])hysician after a'.l. Look at Lady Linden! 
(li. c.) She ])asses most of her time in the open air. 

Lin. (c.)- So you approve of my choice, Doctor 1 

Di{. G. Without her I would not give tenpenco for your estate, land- 
scape and ah ; but with her, the prospect is inappreciable. She is gen- 
erally in the prospect, too. 

r,tN. I am afraid so. 

I>R. G. You are afraid so 1 Why ? 

Lin. She is so very reckless. 

Dr. G. Oh, not at all ! excitement of the chase. 

Lin. Ah ! if any accident should happen to her, I don't know what I 
should do— for I am awfully in love with my wife, Doctor. 

Dr. G. (qaiek'ii). So am I ! {confnsedli/) No, no, 1 don't mean that! 

Lin. iMy father was a great stickler for old county families intermarry- 
ing, blue blood, main line, and all that kind of thing. And old Lord Lor- 
to.'i could match him. Think of tlieir family. Since it came over with the 
Conqueror, not a shame or a stain has fallen upon them. 

Dr G. Well, 1 should not think it ]>leasant to como of such a reproach- 
less stock. If my grandfather had died in a fit of delirium tremens or 
b en a tinker, I don't think I should suffer muchbv the reflection. 

Lin. I'm the happiest man in all the county round, yet there will in- 
trude at times the memory of Mildred, my first wir'=>. Her shadow will 
fi.i across my path. Poor girl ! her fate was a sad one, she died, you 



26 BLOW von BLOW. 

know, Doctor, while I Wiia away at sea, in good hilftds-^that I do not 
derij', but they were strangers ; there was no one near to mourn over her 
— hurried to her early grave. Poor Mildred! You are tiie only one to 
whom I have told this. Doctor, as my father's friend. He was too proud 
to iiave relished my matcli, not only with one of no ranli, but made un- 
der distressing circumstances, and I have never thought it well to tell 
iny wife. 

Dr. G. I do not approve, on the whole, of there being any secrets he. 
tween man and wife ; but I have not told Mrs. Grace everything. 

{Voice of Lady Lixdex, ojf r. u. e.). AVhat, sir! I am not to ride 
Brown George 1 Don't talk to me. I tell you that I will ! 

Enters D. in v., D«. Grace salutes her. 

I say, Harry, John says that j'ou gave orders tliat I am not to ride 
Urown George to-day. I call it mean, very mean, for any one to give in 
to any kind of horse because he has a temper, (c.) 

Dk. G. I think it most ungallant of any horse to — to — {confused) not 
to permit a lady — . ^^ ' 

Lady L. {laughs). You stupid old doctor, you, it's no use your trying 
— you can't pay a compliment. ''^ " 

Lin. {lauffhiiiff). No. Doctor, it is not numbered among your accoi'n- 
plisimients. Suppose I try my hand at it. Lily, dear, you do look — 
you look like — {co/ifuscd.) ' 

Dr. G. {lauffhiiiff). I don't see that you are so much better at it. 

Lady L. {lauffhttiff). What sad bunglers, {ffocs up c, luuffhtvg.) 

Lin. No, not sad bunglers. Let us be jollij bunglers, at any late. 

Du. G. Jolly bunglers, ha, ha ! A good sign for a public house. Put 
ymi up on one side and me on the other. I'll go see what horse they 
will give me to-day. {goes up o.) The jolly bunglers ! lia, ha! 

\Bxit, D. in v., and off I.. U. E., laiiffhinff. 

Lix. It does one good to see how the Doctor enjoys himself. How 
can one pass a life in the smoky confines of the town 1 My f itlipr liked 
hint very much, and I have inherited the fondness, {takes seal l. front, on 
settee.) 

Lady. L. {takes scat on footstool hij him) I wish you would consult him. 

Lin. About what "? 

Lady L. About your absurd fits of melancholy. They make me quite 
nnliappy. And you do not want to make me unhappy, do you, Harry ? 
Don't say that you do, because I know better, I don't like to Ijave you 
looking despondent, as if you suffered from remorse and disturbed con- 
science, and all that sort of thing. You must tell Dr. Grace, and get 
him to give you something. 

Lin. My dear, Dr. Grace can give me nothing. I have everything I 
c()u:d wish to make me liapi>y. 

Lady L. {lighllg, douhiinfflg). Oil, I dessay. 

Lin. What do you suspect 1 

Ladt L. I suspect nothing much. But you are so mysteriou?!. You 
haven't done anything very wrong, have you, Harry 1 For I would for- 
give you whatever it is. You haven't loved anybody as well as you do 
me ? 

Lni. You cannot think that, {puts his arms round her.) 

Lady L. Because I never loved anybody else. True, when I was 
ieven — 

Lin. Seven ? 

Lady L. {n'jds). Seven. I fell in love with John, our page-boy — ah, 



ACT ir. i:, 

deeply in love — but it was only the livery, for when he left us and turned 
iiiio a l.iUclier, 1 liated liim. 

Lin. Oil, you wicked liitle seven-year older ! {playfully threatens her.) 

Lady L. {>-ises). But 1 have liad lots of offers. 1 might have been a 
duchess if 1 chose I The old Dulie of Craubury was awfully spoony on 
me! (c.) 

LiN. 1 should think so ! 

Lady L. I understand your sneer, sir. He was a nice old gentleman, 
everybody snid, thoiigli he used to fall asleep during dinner. 

Lin. Yes 1 nubody found fault wiih him for that. The brutes were 
they who woke him ! 

Lady L. I suppose yon think that smart ! But father objected to the 
Diike ; he said, for all his name, he was of common origin, he rather 
would have had me wed wiih DeCa()ias, the brilliant and rising barrister, 
who was sure to be Lord Chancellor some day. Father said he had blue 
blood ! 

Lin. Blue blood 1 (Lady l. nods solemnly) Blue bags more like, he 
meant ! 

Lady L. No, he didn't! But I had made up my mind. 

Lin. You had — beg your i)ardon — what 1 

Lady L Oh, I see your slur, sir ! You mean to say that T haven't 
got a mind •■ Oh, I can't ta.k to you — you have been reading Mill, or 
somebody ! 

Lin. Milb, Mills! Mill is grinding on the other side. 

Lady L. Lei's talk of something you can understand. What is your 
o]);ni()n of — pumps ? 

LiN. {rises). The subject is too abstruse ! 

Lady L. Tiien of horses ! 

Lin. That would carry us too far. What do you say to " tiffs," 

Lady L. That reminds one of muffs 

LiN. Oh, naturally I 

Lady L. And talking of muffs, I am sure that your friend from Lon- 
don, the cockney, is one. 

Lin. What, Mordaunt? 

Lady L. Mordaunt 1 His name is more likely lobe Green, or Smith, or 
Tompkins. You say he is a bold rider'? Now, I have watched him, and 
when his horse is at a jump, he lets him go, and holds on till he's over. 

Lin. Not such a bad plan ! 

Lady L. And I've seen him shut liis eyes, and hold on by the back of 
the saddle. He's no sportsman. 

Lin. Oh ! we must not be so particular in this dull place. Say what 
you will, Mordaunt is a plucky horseman and a good fellow, though he 
does find liis words run away with an h in their mouths. 

Lady L. {tip c). What a lovely morning. And what a jolly ride I shall 
have ! 

LiN. Do take care, Lily. You quite alarm me at times. 

Lady. How cnn one take oaie, when one is following the hounds? 
You had better .send me to Richmond Riding-school at once, or to a cir» 
cus. A circus ! Come, I should like that. You shall be clown I 

Lin. Clown ! so I'm to be clown 1 

Lady L. {imilotijig any eloum pnj}iilt7r in the locnlity). What has the lit- 
tle lady stopped for 1 what would Madden- cm-ivhnlesnle-Marir like to caS' 
for 1 Shall I come for to go for to fetch for to carry a i)enny worth of 
thunder, a slice of a Comet's tail, or a yard of gi'een lightning 1 I'll lay 
seventy thousand strawberry-baskets against a pound of silkworms, iht!! 
I'll go and be back in the twinkling of a ten-penny nail ! {sinys the uirus.-i- 
ally played for the hobby-horse entrances in pantomimes) La, la, la, etc. 

\Exits siJcwise, as if in a baskri-horse, u. d. 



28 BLOW YOU BLOW. 

Lin-, (r.. lools nfler her). Oh! you llglit-lipavuvi ]ovo\ (mist'c, piano, 
plaintive) Was tlieie ever a more enviable man 1 IL-altliy, weallhy, willi 
little to trouble my conscience, I ought not to suffer recollections of the 
pa'>t to darken my present {laiifjhter, Spraggs and oi/iers off l.) 

Lin. Here's Mr. MorJaunt. Lily's right; be is a bit of a cad. 

\Exit K. D. Music ceases. 

Enter, fmn l. it. e., d. in p., Sp '!■;, whip in hand, and Ds. Grace, 
laughing cs they enter, 

SpraggS {swaggering doivn R.). Oh, ho, ho, ho ! 

Du. Grace (r. c. front). Well, I do not profess to know much of 
horses. I do not go beyond a doctor's turn-out. 

Spraggs. Ha, ha! I know tiiem! Boy in a suit of livery never made 
for him, harness rusty, vehicle musty, horse dusty, and looking as if lie 
had been sitting up all night with another horse. General tout enscmh e 
{pronounce towt onsombuli) fusty ! 

Dr. G. i^asidey Vulgar creature ! But it is my turu-out lo al'. [^up c.J 

Enter, r. d., Linden. 

Spraggs {in the affected draicl of the Dundreary type, eragfjerrrfen) Haw, 
Sir 'Arry ! good — aw mawning ! 1 hope I see you ! {slm/.es hcnds tcith 
Linden) Pretty good biceiis, eli 1 

Dr. G. Bicejjs ! What do you know about biceps? Talk about 
horses, 1 dare say you do understand them ; but, hang it ! don't meddle 
with anatomy. 

Spraggs '{aside). I shor.l 1 like to meddle with his anatomy. What 
do they want with a doctor here among horses. He ouglit to keep to his 
hospital. 

Lin. So, Mr. Mordaunt, you are going to ■ witch the world with noble 
horsemanship ? " 

Spraggs. Yaas, aw, yaws! {aside) " IJ'hich tl:e world 1" Now, how 
can you u-hich a world 1 Shocking bad graniinar for a baronet.* 

Lin. You're very fond of the sport, Mordaunt. Been accustomed to a 
rough country ! 

Spraggs. Aw, yaws, yaws ! I've seen a good many ups and downs — 
rather more of the downs than the hups — (Linden catch/s his eye, he is 
confused, quickly) ups, ups ! (Linden goes up to converse tcith Dr. Grace, 
Spraggs l. c. front, aside) I wish I could master my h"s better, Sopie- 
limes tiiey come too many for me. 1 go over them every morning, Hol- 
loway, ILiiburton, Hingston, and Highgate ; but I gei.erally come to 
grief about Hampstead. It all comes from associating w,th people like 
Kitty Wobblei-. [Exit Dr. Gsacb, d. in f. 

Lin. Have you seen Captain Chalu-.?:s 1 

SpRAG(is. Aw, Chawmers ] yaws, yaws 

■ LiN. lin going to dress. If you see Lady Linden, tell her you know — 

[Exit, K. D. 

Spraggs. Aw, yaws — T, ah ! {aside) "Tell Lady Linden." Oh, crikey, 
ain"t I going it! all amongst the regular nobs; hand and glove with 
landed i)roperty, and quite familiar with wested interest ! Mother always 
.said I was cut out for the hupper crust. What would she say to see mo 
now ] I shall marry some snug old dowager and stick to my elewated 
position. Oh, I don't mnd them being old — or even iniirm — as long as 

Linden. Gkace. Spkaggs. 

E. c. up c. L. c. 



ACT ir, 29 

Uiey've cot a tlcl}' sum. TI103' must be rich. Bloss old Jim Gregson 
and the Idelberg Lottery. I'm wallowing in bank-notes. 1 never siiall 
I'orget the moi-ning after my raise. I come down to liie office rallier iate, 
wiieic 1 see Captain Craslier awaiting for me. "Is this," he .says, 'Ms 
lliis your dea df keeping lime ] ' says lie. Willi that 1 looked at him 
from hi.s boots, which is i)olishe<l, beill^ ])nyient leatlier, lo the top of hi.s 
liead, which is likewise jjoLsIkmI, bcini; liald. I <ii-rw myself iij) to my 
full height, {attiindcs to corr(si,o>id inlJi his speech) ;;iid with a look, cohl, 
but coiitemptuons. sneeiiiiii- and y(>L severe, J said. '•(Jqiiaiu Crashei-,'* 
said I, •■ I resiiiii from ttiriher service umier yon.'' Tli;s li:id its elfect 
on Captain Crasher. He put his 'and .11 his jiocket, witli tli.' imention t.i 
liaiid nie a week's salary, but with ri gr.acefid wave of tiie 'and, 1 said 
to CapCiin Crasher, " I want none of your money. Keep your money, 
Captain," I said, "keep xonr money — yon nir.y want it lo purchase 
yonv vifjoraliti/ .' " Seeing as iIk^ gallant cijilain's otf leg was getting 
restive, and as lie lias a biceps, 1 own, I madi' a somewh..t precipitate 
retreat. But, when I came to myself — wliicli I d. I i:i t!ie iiea;cst ]):ili:ic- 
bouse — I resolved that I bad behaved mysc'f admiiaidy under dilH 11 t 
circuin.stances, and left the court without a staia ujion my characLcr. 

Goiiirf up G., mceta Dr>. Gkaci:, coininy in. J]usiui's.i, Spn.\OG3 is rfraid tr, 
face Dr.. tir.AC!:, andfnduifj him in tlic ice ij comes doicn r.. C, U'/ustiiiii/. 
and comes over lo h. front, ncrcotts'.y. 

Dn. G. (asid^). I am certain that that fellow is a " do." :7-) sportsman, 
purely; he rides like a tailor to begin wiili ! (.^'ro.'.'.-; d) mt >; "/■•, (nt ff <•/- 
iivn/s bclivcen Spraggs rnd r>. nt f.) That's the wa\- of llie woild; becans" 
this fellow choses to risk his neck by taking a jutnp that ( theis shunned, 
lie is looked upon as tlie lion of the county. So is a fool's single act of 
extravagant folly exalted, while modest merit's steady labor is overlooked. 
(;/ocs up r.) I'd watch him ! it will amuse me atid won't hurt liim, to 
vary the olil story of the blacksmith's wife. [Exit u. v. ic. !•/ d. in v. look- 
inij over hii shoidder at tipnACGS. 

Spkaggs. Ah ! {lonrj-drawn breath ill relief ) He's gone. I don't like the 
expre.ssion of that Dr. Grace's left eye. lie evidently suspects something. 
The fact is, and there's no use concealing it, I am going about under 
false jiretences. By a luck" accident, I have gained the rei)utation ot 
what the ])oet calls a " Hardy Norseman," while lam not a norseman, 
and not hardy by no means. Because my rawboiird animal of a Co])er- 
iiicns— though who the devd called hmi Cojiernicns, and who Copeiiii- 
cus is when he is at home, 1 couldn't say in a w ek — because I Su-ys that 
briUe chose to risk his knees'and my neck in an impossible jum])- over ;in 
impassable hedge, witlnuit a thought whether I should get the £1003 
from the Casualty Insurance Company, while I was a-triumphanily hold- 
ing on his mane with one band and the saildle with the other — -why ail 
these things should be, and why I should be made a hero of against my 
inclinations — I cannot .say. 1 am a hero, and it is not for me to come 
down f;om my pedestal. But that I shall come down, and a |>retty con- 
.siderable of a cropper too, I have no doubt at all ! And wouldr/t Kitty 
■Wobbler come down on me if I should be reduced lo ^er level again, 
Beilber 1 (l. c. front.) 

Lnier, Dr., Grace, d. i>i v. 

Dr.. G. (atidc'). I have seen this fellow's f.ico before, I v.m certain 
{comes dou-n c. ) Mr. iMordaunt! 

iSpRACf.-.s (.v'r/7,vj. Aw! yaws! that's my name. 



30 BLOW FOS BLOW. 

Dr. 0. Tliat's your name? Exactly, yes ! 

Sakaggs (iisuir). I (lo.i't- like hb uiantier. Weight's agin rae, bat I 
think 1 CDiiid polisli him olf! 

L)i;. G. Voii have imt been lung in this neighborhood 1 

Spkaggs. No, not long. {i/(nf?is.) 

Du. G. Haven't got house yet ] 

Spraggs. N), not yet. You see I want such large slables. 

Djt. G., 1 should say so. You x; got a stud 1 

Sp:iaggs. a stud I I've got tliree. (/'/■« up his neck-scarf and shows 
studs in his shir (-bosom. Altitude.) 

Dn G. {Inrjis awny, amused) Oh! (asidt) I knew he was a swindler. 
(^aloud, ictuniing) Ihat's a lin • animal of youis — hut a litile lean. 

Spu.vggs. Oh, yaws, a httle lean. So you noticed that ? laws, but I 
like tliem l.^an. 

Du. G. How many feeds do you give liim a day ! 

Spraggs. Eh 1 

Du. G. I ask, how many feeds (h>es he liave a day 1 

Spraggs. Oli, yaws {nsidc) How many feeds do you give a horse? I 
take four meals myself, ; ml a hoist; wnuld eat three times as much as a 
man. (aloud) Well, I tell my fellah — my, my fellah, you know — to give 
bim twelve feeds a day. 

Dr. G. Twelve ! {n-prrssrs his laughter) Is that all 1 

Spi'.AGGS (aside). 1 have told liini too little, {uioud) That's only for 
exi)erinieiit. 1 don't keep liim so low as a rule. 

Du. G. I wouldn't. 

Spiiaggs. I say, fifteen or sixteen, if I work him hard, (aside) Why 
didn t I master the rudiments before I attempted the talkl I've put my 
foot in it. 

Du. G. (aside). There's no doubt of it, but I will try him again. 
(aloii.i) You will pardon me, but I fancied I noticed some slight symp- 
toms of grea>e about your liorso's od" forefoot. 

Spraggs. Oh, you noticed that, did you"? (laughs) ha, ha! I saw 
that, and I iiuiuired. The fact is, they were singeing him, and it was 
rather, my fellaii, g(3t (stammering at seeing Dr. Grace ct/c him sercrdy) 
a tallow candle and dropped some — ch 1 I — 

Dr. G. (laughs). Ha, ha ! (sternlg) Mr. Mordaunt, you are an impos- 
tor ! 

Spraggs (defiantly). Do yc"a think so 1 [grasps his whip.) 

Dr. G. I do ! 

Spraggs It's lucky everybody ain't of your opinion. 

Dr. G. Mrs. McHuggins, for nistance, wuom you aie courting for her 
money., 

Spragg.s Why not? 

Dr G Everybody's eyes sliall be opened. 

Spraggs (shakes ivhp). You take care somebody's eyes ain't closed. 

Dr. G. Do you dare to threaten me, sir ? 

Spraggs (cou-ers). N — no. (aside) There it is asain I'm in J^//^^ilire. 
T talk altout muscle an<l pluck, wi:en 1 am t<'tally deficient in both arti- 
cles, (aloud) There's no occasion to be liard on a'i)oor fellow, Dr. Grease. 

Dr. G Grease ? Grace you scoundrel! S;iy, 'Grace! ' 

Spraggs (eonfused). '■ For wiiat we are about to receive — " 

Dr. G. (hursisoiit into laugh). Oh, oh ! So you confess that you have 
imposed on my frieml Sir Henry Linden? 

Spraggs. Ain't all of us that aiirt born with a silver spoon in tiieir 
months imposteis 1 

Dr. G. What are you going about calling yourself Mordaunt fcr 1 
Mordaunt, indeed ! you are not very hiti^ig. 



ACT ir- 31 

Spraggs. Because jt'si mj' na — 

pR. G. All, all '. 

Spraggs {crying). Why do you want to persecute a fellow ? 

Dr. G. I have iio desire to persecute you ! I liave no interests herein 
Glouceslersliire. My place is in Finsbury Square, 

Spraggs. More like Finsbury Round. 

Dr. G. For all I care, you may no on and risk your neck — which you 
are likely to do, in any line you adopt 

Spraggs. Thankye ! 

Dr. G. But 111 expose you if you say one word more to the rich 
widow. And remember, there are liorseponds handy ! 

Spraggs {aside). And the farm servants about here have jrot such 
biceps ! {aloud, humbly). AVell, 1 admit it, 1 am a do ! But I am not a 
deep do ! 

Dr. G. Oh ! I never said you were ! 

Spraggs. T assure you 

Dr. G. {goiiirj up c ). I don't want to hear anything, Mr. Mordaunt. 
Ah rcvoir\ \Exit, n. in f. 

Spraggs {puzzled). Fas de hcnucoup ! {pronounce " Par dee bo-koop !") 
"Whew! I'm cornered! {comes doioi) The doctor is not a bad nest after 
all ! It's my idea tiiat lie has got a li'eye on Mrs. McHuggins himself ! 

Hi/fer. LiXDEX, D. in f, 

LiXDEX. ILis Lady Linden been here ? 

Spraggs {aside), lie don't know anything about it I (aloud, (tj^ecicd 
voice). No, no, not yet, not yet I 

Lix. Some gentlemen from London are going to join us." They were 
looking at that ditch and hedge. They can't believe you cleared it.' 

Spraggs. Oh, oh ! We'll show them how to do it, eh, Sir 'Arry 1 

Lix. {smiling). You can, j'ou can ! .. . 

Spraggs {Jlourishcs irhip). We'll put them up to a thing~or^two, we'll 
give these town-birds a show ! {h. c. front.) 

Lix. Not a doubt of it. 

Spraggs. By the way, what's the — the — aw fellow's name 1 

Lix. Captain Crasher ! {goes up u. c.) 

Spraggs {sudilen'y sits down on his spur, having had his foot upon cushion 
of settee behind him). Crasher! oh! {in pain, limps out n. in t.) 

Lix. {coini s down k. c, scats himself at table k. c, takes vp newspaper , lays 
it down tliouglitf ally). It is strange, {^m us ic, plaintive) I cannot throw olf 
this despondency on me to-day ! I must endeavor to rouse myself. 
Feelinnrs I thought dea<l forever, arise again. Thoughts of Mildred! 
Were I su;)crstitious, I should fear it was some preuK^nition of danger 
li.uiging ovei- my head. Poor girl! Have I (.one your memory injustice 
by concealiiis llie fact of our union fi'om my young wife, for fear slio 
would suspect my whoic tidciity to her. All ! 1 souietiines ihink it would 
have 1)6 n better for you had yoa never como across my path. You 
might have been living now. {niimaturc in hand.) 

l^nter Lady Lixdex, k. d., stops and holes over Lixdex's shoulder, pcrpUxeci 
by his manner. 

^ly eyes fill with tears as I gaze upon your portrait, and I hear your 
sweet voice as I see your "eiiile face again ! Did 1 leaveyou lo die alone, 
for strangers to place you in y<uir cold grave — you who were the first 
to move my young blood with ])assion. And yet that was but a weak 
and fleeting fancy, compared lo the deep and earnest love I feel for 



32 BLOW ion BLOW. 

Ethel ! ((■/«,<!« ininiiiturc-easc) What riibbisii poets write about first love ! 
Tiie impulse of earl}- life is the fancy of a bo}', but lasting devotion is ilie 
love of a man's life ! 

Lady L. {aside, plnyfidbj). What is he saying to himself? I should 
like to frighten him, the dear old niuft! 

Taldng a step fonvard, sees John Drummond, /wi on, cane in hand, enter 
L. u. E., and D. in f., remaining there. 

Lady L. Ah I {terror.) 

Lin. Oh, what's that 1 {cJiord, shirred ) 

Lady L. Nothing. This man frightened me. {panting) 

Lin. {rises). What do yon mean ] {up c.) How dare yoii trespass 
here 1 There is another door for tramps to beg at ! 

Drum, {eoldly). Don't, sir! {musie, mournful, till eurtain) Don't raise 
your hand on me. Don't .stiike me again ! You did it once before — and 
lliat has not yet been repaid, {eomes in c. a little.) 

Lady L, Oh, Harry, have yon done anything \ {l. /rent.) 

Lin. Ill never saw you before. You must be mad ! {c. front.) 

Dritm. I am not mad. Don't you remember Porlsmonih — Josiali 
Craddock's office — his clerk — his daughter ! Ah ! I .see that you begin 
to recollect. You have a most convenient memory, Sir Henry Linden. 
Oeat man here in Gloucestershire, but in the remembrance of certain 
persons living, only a naval ca])tain who 

LiN. {hoarselg). Peace! I'll give you anything to be silent, (u. c. line 
of 2.1b., Drummond c, np, Lady Linden i.. front.) 

Druji. As I thought, (aside) My debt will be paid. 

Lin. {erosses to Lady Lindkn). My darling, you will leave us. Th's 
fellow has something to tell me. Not that I have any secrets from you, 
love, but — but he might have some delicacy against speaking before you. 
{leads her to -L. D.) 

Lady L. Harry, my husband, I did not hear 

Lin. Hear! you did not hear — whati 

L.ldy L. Nothing, then. Harry, I may trust in you 

Lin. {pretending to laugh). If you go on so, I shall have to send Dr. 
Grace to you, Lily. Come, have your old faith in me. Say that you 
trust me. {rmhrace.) 

Lady L. I do, Harry, I do ! [E.rit, i,. d. 

Drum, {aside). He loves thai innocent girl — she does not know of Mil- 
dred's fate. 

Lin. {to Drummond, ,/?«re///). And now, sir ! have j'ou so far forgo! ten 
the thrashing I gave you that you come for a repetition of the same ? 

Drum. Forgotten it! no! Sir H;irry Linden, I have not forgotten what 
you gave, noi- yet what you took away ! 

Lin. AViiat do voi mean \ 

Drd.m. I mean tliat I loved :\Iildred. 

Lin. Mild ed ! In all the past and gone, she never said one word that 
would lead me to sujtpose that she ever cared for you. 

Drum. Slr> might nut have lured me; l)Utshe never despised me imt'l 
you came. Josiali Craddock saw few visitors, and none of them youiigv^r 
or better favored than myself. I should have won her in time. But you 
came, with your dashing sailor ways, with your liaronetcy in the back- 
ground, and had an easy conquest. I hated you from the ifirst day when 
1 heard her laugh at one of your small jokes. I detested you, and I told 
lior of the fate she was bringing upon her. For ihat yon beat me. For 
that beating. I transported her father, and gave you a felon's daughter 
for your bride. You oould not present that to your noble father. You 



ACT II. 33 

sent hei- aboard, while j^ou were away, and when the cunnins old couple, 
to whom you had entrusted her, told you she had perished one night, 
wlien she had wandered forth witiiout shelter in her ravincr — you Um 
readilj' believed them, lejoiced in your release, and hastened home in 
make a more brilliant match. Oh, you are titled, you jiave riches- 
wait a little ! wait a little, and there is not a laborer on your estate to< 
wlinm you would not change your lot. 

Lix. (l.). 1 give you rope enough, fellow. I will hear you out. 

DiiUM. 1 waited for you. I waited, the better Lo bring the shame and 
sorrow on the name of her y(ui love. 

Lix. You mean Lady Linden 1 JNIy wife"? 

L»Jtuxi. Of her who is caiied Lady Linden, the young girl whom you 
have deceived. I hurl my vengeance in one bolt : vour wife, Mildred, 
lives ! 

Lin. Mildred lives ! No, no. (u. c. front.) 

Enter, l. d., Lady Linden. 

Lady L. What are these high words \ Oh, PLirrj-, you have heard 
some bad news. 

Lin. No. But you must go. I wish to speak to this man. Go at 
once. 

Lady L. I shall not go. My proper place is here, by my husband. 

Deuji. Not so. Your proper place is not by his side, not in this house ; 
you— 

Lix. Silence ! 

Lady L. No ! I bid you spealr. 

Drum, (s/iecruiffli/). I am bound to obey the lady. Madam, before 
tliat man married you, he had wedded — a little fact that he studiously 
kept from you. He too readily believed in a story that she died abroad. 
Who told him so, lied And you, poor young lady, daughter of a noble 
house that has never known the slightest shade of dishonor.' you are but 
his mistress. 

Lin. Liar ! 

Dkum Not so. I am not lying. 

Enter, d. in v., Alice in (Mildred's dress of Prologue), remaining up c* 

Lix. Mildred ! {chord.) 

Lady L. Who is this woman 1 

Drum. Mildred! Lady Linden! the lady who^e place you have 
iisur|)ed ; who returns to the home of your wi-onger — of my wronger. 
Deny it, if you cm. (Linden /(?//s into ch.ir, n. c , hiding Itis face.) 

Lady L. {teitrfulbj). This is not true. Hairy ! {pause. I'roudlij) Sir 
Ileiiiy Linden! 

Lix. {lifts his head). Lily — T — (Mildred fiits her hand out as if to part 
ilivm, tiiliing a step forivard. He drops his head.) 

Lady L. Is this true 1 (pause) Oh ! (faint scream, falls in fain' from c. to- 
wnrds Linden. Linden is about to lift her np, ivhen Alice advat.cis one ftip 
and waves her hand for him not to do so. He sinks hack confused. Alicij! lotlx 
at him eonlemptuously and triumphan'lg. Dritiimoxd rubs his hanus 
triumphantly. Picture.) 

*Alice. 
*Linden. ' *Lady L. *Drummond. 

slow curtain. 
* Linden. Lady L. Alk^e. Drummond. 

K. C. C, >rp. L. c, up. 



34 



JiLO-tt' 1-OR ELOW. 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. — Library, interior, Zd grooves. 

Discover, seated, Dr. Grace l. of table, Linden r. of it. 

Dr. G. I Uiink, my dear friend, that I perfectly understand you, and 

I wiJ carry out your insti actions to the best of my abiHty 
Li.v. [ am sure you will. Doctor. 

Dii. G. Tlianks to you, I have obtained the ai)pointment, and it makes 
a comparatively rich man of me. 

Lix' Oil, no thanks. I wanted employment. In ray state of mind, 
brooding over my troubles would have maddened me. You found me 
some employment to do, and so it is I wiio am grateful. I tliiiik I .- liall po 
otf to America or Australia. On the continent, there is not a town or 
a sc3ne tliat is not a well-remembered spot, and will not remind me of 

Dr. G. No doubt, (iistd") I had belter change the subject, {smiles.) 

LiN'. You are laughing. Doctor 1 

Dii. G. Yes. I could not liel^j thinking of that fellow, Mor.'aunt, as he 
ciUe.l himself— what was his name] Maggs — Braggs— Spraggs — 
Sjrag:;s would iiave been )nore to the pu'pos3. I suspected him from 
11)3 lirst, and so did Lady Linden. 

Lix. I^sif/hs). Lady Linden ! {forcedly gay tone') And how old Mr. 

II uighton used to Stare when Mordaunt spoke of " wenison " and " spar- 
row-grass !"' Ha, ha! 

Dr. G. {drinking ivtne). I wonder what became of him 1 

Lix. Well, the last I heard ot him, he had lost all his money through 
backing a screw which he iiad b^^en told would win tlie Chester Cup — 
but it didn't. And he tried to borrow half a crown of Rogers, my stud- 
groom. 

Dr. G. Ah ! I know of nothing more painful than after a short season 
of g eat hajipiness to be sunk in distress — {asi'dc) I'm putting my foot in 
it again'. 

LiN. Yes, memory barbs tl>e pang." What does Tenny.son say 7 " I:i 
the longing after-tiniJ, i)ast well-remembered joys are a crown of sorrows.' 

Dr. G Bother the ])oets ! Tliey always have something apropos wheu 
tiiere is any mi.^ery about. 
. Lix. You have not seen my wife Mi'dred? 

Dr. G No, when I had finished my attendance on Lady Linden, I 
found your — your 

Lix. My wife. Doctor, my wile! Give the poor girl the right tiile. 
Mildred is little changed, anil I only I'emark in her a sternness tliati never 
noted in her gentle moods, bnt that may he accounted for. Strange that 
sl>e should have quilted the-place so suddenly. 

Dr. G. After she ha I broken up your home and done her utnio.-l (o 
wring that young heart. I cannot make it out. It looks l.ko ll:c ;iccor.:- 
jjlislnnent of .some vindictive design, some deep-laid plan of vengeance. I 
.su-pect some evil play. 

Lix. {mmintiire out). And yet there lurks no such strong passion in 
this gentle face. Look, Doctor. 

Dit. G. {takes miniature, starts). 1 Know that face. {(Xci/ed.) 

Lix. You have never seen her! 

Dr. G. I remember it. I have a good memory for faces. 

Lix. {laughs). My dear old friend, you are misguiding yourself. 

Dr. G. I toll you 1 am not deceived ! 1 have seen this lace before. 
(jiscs, goes excitedly to l. front, lovkuiy at viinictiira.) 



Acx III. 35 

Lix. Don't get excited, Doctor. 

Dr. G. Excited ! I never was more cool in all my life ! It's the face 
of a patient of mine, {pause) By Jove it's — it's 

Lin. What an ebullition from mj' grave old Doctor! ha, ha I 

Dk. G. {aside). I wonder if she can liave anything to do with it 7 Mrs. 
Petherick spoke of abandonment by her husband, whom she believed 
lost at sea. She left her lodgings soon after, the visit of a strange man. 
A few days after, there is the advent here of the dead Mrs. Linden — 
oh 

Lix. (laitffJis). You'll gain nothing by your mare's nest hunting, Doc- 
tor ; it's unprofitable, and you are too good a sportsman 

Dr. G. 1 am too good a sportsman to give up the scent, once I havo 
taken up tlie running. I am not such a fool as I look, sir ! not such a 
fool ! 

Eiii"'- j>. in F., Servant. 

Confound it! I — {to Sekvaxt; What tlie devil do you want, sir ] (l. c, 
Servant on his l.) 

Servant {to Linden). If you please, sir, there's a i)erson of iho name 
of Drummond, who wants to speak to you. I did not let him up, because 
he seemed a IWltle the worse for drink. 

Lix. Drummond ! the man wlio brought my wife back to me, as opeu 
manifestation of his satisfied spite. -<-' ~' 

Du. G. {to Servant). You say he is drunk 1 

Servant. No, sir, not drunk ; but excited, like you, sir. 

Dr. G. AVhat do you mean ? how dare you — {chav/je of tone to less pas- 
sionate one) Pardon me, you are right — you are severe but Just, {to Lin- 
den) You can pre.serve your equanimity better than I, Sir Harry, tliough 
you are a young man, and I a sober medical practitioner, {to Servant) 
I say, young man, a. sober medical practitioner. Show him up. {exit Ser- 
vant, D. in F., u-ith boiv) Hear all that this fellow has to say, and leave 
the rest to me. I will listen. 

( Voice of Drummond at back). " Admit him 1 " of course l;o will. 

Dr. G. {crosses k ). Most interesting case, most interesting. [E:cit r. d. 

Enter, d. in f., John Drummond, drttnl: 

Drum. Good-day, sir, {puts hat and cane aside) good-day! They were 
not for letting me up. 

Lix. {asidr\ I will follow the Doctor's advice, {aloud) I had given 
strict orders that nobody was to be a<lmitted. 

Drum. Well, I'm nobody, and so I came up. {takes l. chair at table) 
Dry weather. I have got something pertick'lar to say to you. {grasps 
the decaliter.) 

Lix. I feel languid. I'll join vou. {offers his g'ass for Drummond to 
filU.) 

Drum. Vou wiin Come, that's hearty. What re.ison have yon to 
bear mr.lirc ] On the contrary, \ have been at it alieady this niornins. 
(drin/..':] Wliai^s this, brandy ] Prime stuff 1 the v»orst of it is, that when 
I once iictjin, I can't stop. 

Lin. Well, you want to speak to ine ] 

Drum It must be hard to live with the sword of Damocles suspende.l 
over one's head by a single thread, ready to drop at any moment. It 
make^J lit'.' a miserable existence, {drinks) Famous brandy this ! 

Lin. You forget the sword has descended in my case ; the thread that 
susjiended it has broken and the blade has fallen. 

Drum. Not to inflict a wound that can't be cured, Ko> no, no! 



CO BLOW ion BLOW. 

{dnmlicnucss increased, speech very fJiick) Tliei'e are mortal wounds which 
kill, and lliere are flesh-wounds which will iieal. 

Lix. D.on'.t talk to me of sucli definitions — 1 liave no care to /oUow you 
in Kucli over-refinement. 

Drum. I have not conic for notln'ng. See here, I have had so large a 
slice of my debt that I might forego tlie remainder. Mind, I don't say 
1 would, but I hat I miglit. 

Lix. Speak jilainer, man. I am in no mood for doubtful suggestions. 
(aside) What can lie mean'? 

DnuM. If I were a rich man, I should go abroad. It lies in your jjower 
to make me so. 

Lix. Sur)])ose it. Eut you don't drink — 

Dr.uM. Thank you. {druihfi) I Mill. And if I went abroad, I would 
take her with me. 

Lix. Do you dare to propose to me such a thing 1 

Drum. I dare do anylhing — wiien I have been drinking. But thafs 
not enough for you. Perhajis I can do more than you fancy. And per-- 
ha])s I can't do anything ! You have suspicions that siie would not re- 
main abroad and that 1 would annoy you again, if I chose. Never fear ' 
I war.t to be rich, like you, to have others subjected to my will, to be 
ai'raid of me, dependents who would cower at my word ! Pah ! you rich 
niGU don't know how to enjoy your wealth ! If I were a wealthy country 
squire, I should grind the common herd to the du.st ! Sir Henry Linden, 
baronet, what if I showed you the certificate of her death 7 

Lix. Is it in cold blood that you dare to hint to me such an intention 1 

Drum. I mean a certificate dated six years back ] 
Lix. {rises). AVhat do you say 1 

Drum, {rises, looks Liim^ES m the eyes). Ehl {cfort to sober himself ^ 1 
don't know, 1 don't know. 

Lix. (aside). There is some mystery at the bottom of this. (Drummond 
si/s down trying io recover himself) That was about tiie time 1 thought 
my wife (.ied. (scaled as before) Can you speak of doing that 1 What 
.'■,ecurity should I liave in a forgery 1 

Drum. Ehl what does this mean 1 (shakes his head) Curse the drink! 
It's mach^ me loosen my tongue. 

Lix. Supposing I close;l in with this proiiosition. and I chose to make 
you a rich man — could you siiow me any means of enabling me to pre- 
vent the lady now known as my wife, being attacked by the faintest 
shade of dishonor. 

Drum. Not the slightest shade of it. 

Lix. You were sayintj that not ( nly could I be spared the ronsequen- 
ces of mv ill-judged act, but that the scandal e.>uld bs put olf bv — Ihe — 
the— 

Drum. The what 1 AVIiat mare's nest is thi.s 1 (aside) I liave said too 
much ! I will say no more. (Lixdex pushes decanter lo him) N-o,. no mo e 
drink! keep it for the fools who h.ave .-ecrets to sell. That loo.sens tl-e 
iDiiiiuc like a precious charm. I'll not have any more of it. (ri.Hs, tni- 
s.'endy of foot) You, Sir Henry Linden, meant what yoiusaid, and 1 a",i 
])ropared to hear ycni say more at ycuir earliest convenience. Perliaps 
I can sell you peace of mind — and ])erhaps I cant sell you anytliim: ! 
Perlia])S I can bring back the blush of happine.ss to the lilanclied cheek of 
th:^ girl you marrio 1, and jierliaiis I can't do anything of the kind. That's 
my direction, (throics card on table) You will find me there, (ytts hat and 
cdj/e) Good-day ! [L'.rif, r>. in f. 

Lin. (iood-day. (.wrf///) The Doctor wa;; wrong. It's all diujjlicu vapor 
and bluster, lie can do uolhing. 



En'.e/, R. D., En. Grace. 

Or. Grace. The Doctor is right, and he can do e7CTj-thing. That fel- 
lovv has given me the cl'ie I wanted. Trust to your father's old friend, 
aiid we shall lick the varmint yet ! (Linden rises to shake his hand ) 

Scene closes in. 

SCENE U.— Sired in W grooves. 

^ Enter, n., Spragos, iilayitirj •'■ j\Iy pretty Jane," on flute, as he enters. 

Spkaocss. Well, if there is a more miserable instrument than t!ie Ger- 
man flute, and a more thorougli-soina: scoundrel than Jim Grcgson, my 
name is not Charley S[)ra2gs ! I hardly know that my naaic is Spraggs, 
I have had so mawy (iltases. I have soared as high as iMontinorency. and 
sunk as low as Splodgers. But in my most liy-po-clion-dri-ac-al mo- 
ments, I never imagined that I should liave conio down to the German 
flute, (o. ) In the lirst place, it'.", a thing I always despised, a sort of I-throw- 
myself-on-tlie-mercy-of-tlie-world feeblen'3i:j L; i.o notes. Now, there's 
tiie co:-v.'?l — lliat sonndo iitble. and if you blow Ihe y.-os: note, it's bold 
and brassy, and wlie;. it's ouj of tune, tliore's a blov.i-u-if-I-caie sound 
about it that lifts it from obscurity. And t!ie tron:bor.e. i know a party 
who was in the habit of blowing his sorrows down a irombone, and yet 
ho brought up a family quite respectable. A harp is '.heonly ::istrumeni 
capable of rescuing the flute from, total insignificance, b)it, left to itself, 
it takes a deal of wiirl, and hasn't gotanything to show forit. Never mind, 
it was my Kitty'.s favorite inctruu.ent, and I've stuck to it for love of her. 
I used to serenade her ccens, in happier clays — or rather, happier nights. 
Twice was 1 look up ; three times was I deluged with cold Avater; four 
times was I called names that cuddled my blood : and on one occasion I 
received a wiolent blow on the nose. But fifty thousand blows would 
only heflittiie — I beg your pardon, futile, to stifle my prosecutioji of music 
uuier difficulties. My dear Kitty lives at No. 6 in this street, and I'll 
fetcli her out if I blow myself into an early grave, {going l.) " Once more 
nnt ) tlie breach, dear friends, once more ! " ( plays little, a bar or two) Ehl 
1 see iier ! it can't be 1 yes; she is coming up the airey. {plays "My 
]).'eLty Jane.") 

Enter Kitty, l., pitcher in hand. 

Kitty. Get out of my way, do ; what do you want 1 

ypRAGiJS {(lolefiiUy). Don't you know me, Kilty "? (c.) 

Kitty. Oil, lor, no ! I don't know you. (r. c.) And now tint I do 
kno.v yo.i, I knows you still less. 

Spraggs. Oh, Kit tv, don't you go to turn your back on me. If you do, 
I don't know what I shall do. 

Kitty. Djii't delay me. Master's very pertickler and can't abide loiter- 
e.s. I am going for the supper beer. 

Spraggs. The supper beer! What's supper beer to a bhghted heart 1 

Kitty W.iy, worry consoling. But George is a-waiting, and he's that 
i.ii!)itieii! — 

Spragos. Gee-hovtr? ! and who is Gee-);or?;e 1 

K-iTTY. A young man who makes hisself werry agreer.b.c, a sensible 
young m^^n as don't have any nirs above h','.: ftition. 

Spraggs {cntcmpiuoashf). Which I presume is a police-station ! 

Kitty. Thank you. I've not corae down to a periiceman yet. George 



88 BLOW ¥011 IILOW. 

is in a li'office, where there is clerks, and messengers, and hooks kep\ 
I'ride seems to liave had a fall ! 

Spraggs. Kitty, pride lias had a cropper. Pride lias come down hy 
the run. Pride has smoothed down the dust with its hack. Pride has 
heeu 1 educed to embracing the German flute and struggHng inelfectuaily 
with ' My pretty Jane "' outside the public houses. Pride in tiie i)erson 
</f Charles Spraggs knows what it is to ask help from every cliance- 
comer, and not to get it, except in the sliape of a kick— to help hini 
along. Oil, Kilty' Kiity iliynies with pity — and pity, the poet beau- 
clii fully says, is akin to love. 

KiTTV. Whats become of your grand sporting acquaintances, and 
your line friend Jim Gregson 1 

SpitAGGS. My /"r(>«(^ Jim Gregson I {^s'rikes out pugilisiicolbj') Mr James 
Gregson is now staying at the famous all-around-the-year resort of Cold- 
balli Fields, where ho is bountifully supplied with clothes of a plain but 
substantial cut, and a regular quantity of food by the care of a parential 
government, which likewise sees that his back hair does not run to ring- 
lets. 

Kitty. In prison ! Wh}^ what did he do 1 

Spkaggs. IVhat did he do ? what didii't he do 1 or, rather, who dian t 
he do 1 To serve his old friend and jjal so ; he took my last penny. 

Kitty. I knew you would not keep your money. 

iSpKAGGS. Ah I I lost it foolishly. Since me and you last parted, 
Kitty, 1 have moved in the upper circles of society — I have mingle 1 with 
tlie brilliant throng and trod the gilded salloon — and my opinion is, look- 
ing at it all coolly, society is a humbug. Give me the friend that sticks 
to you through thick and thin, not him as is all so affable to you in the 
'unting-field, and looks over your "ead when he meets yon in Piccadilly. 
When 1 was in my bloom, I was accounted a good fellow — a little eccen- 
tric, but no more — but, when 1 lost my money, every one turned from 
me. and kicking was too good for me. 1 haven't any onQ now to look to, 
if you turn from me, Ki*' 

Kitty i^tecrfidly). I didn't say as I was a-going to turn from you. 

Spkaggs. Wliat ! you are going to give me a l.ttle hope ! 

Kitty. Yes. 

Spraggs. Yoii are a dear, {about to pass arm around her waist) But I 
am a-keeping of you away from Gee-horge. 

Kitty (smdcs). What if there wasn't any Gesrge, Charley ? 

Spraggs. She calls me by my Christian name I I become a man once 
more. 

Kitty. I knew you would come hack — if you could not have fiith in 
me, 1 could in you, Charley, and I waited for you. Not as I had no 
offers. There is Perkins, who — 

Spracjgs. Don"t harrow up my feelings witli a Perkins. Perkins, a 
fellow that had no more biceps Uian a blue-bottle. Kitty, you aie a 
h angel, you aie. But, 1 say, couldn't you give us just one kiss 1 

Kitty. Oh, Charley, 1 don't like. 

Spraggs. But 1 do. (/>isses Kitty). There, do you like it now, dear ] 
That s better ilian tha German thite. Do you want another — 

Kitty. There's somebody a-'ooking. (loo/.s off b..) 

Spra(!g.s. Where? Let "em look and — Hullo ! do .you see who it is*? 

Kitty. Come back after these a-many years ! My ! 

Spraggs. We must go and s])eak to him. (r.) 

Kitty (r.). Yes, dear. One moment. What have you been living on 
all this while 1 

Spraggs. On my wits^ 



Kitty. Ah 'I you look as if you liad very poor noiirislmienl. 

[£xit it.^ iri/k SpRAGf;s, /us arm nroui/d her waist. 

Scoie ihiiii'jcs to 

SCENE III —Parlor Interior in Ath f/roovcs. 

I)iscover Alice, k. front. Lady Lfnoe:^ c. 

Alice. I am sorry, but tliero is notliing in my action of revenge to 
you. 

Lady L, Yet you force me into silence to Aveep alone. AVhat need 
w;is there to make mo so unliap])y ? 

Alice. No, i)Oor lady, it is bnt, for him. 

Lady L. So i^ is for lijni ll'.at, I plead. He always regretted you, and 
ho will make uj) to you for the past, if you will permit it. Do not leave 
him utterly alone, in his anguish, without a suigie feeling heart nigh. 

Ali^e (asiiir). My sainteJ ]\Iildred! 

Lady L, You have been led to think he deserted you. No, he is in- 
capable of such deceit. Tie is now eager to repair ;ill the griefs l:e may 
have given in his ignorance — I am sure you will not lepent listening to 
the good impulses in your heart. I do not fear to tell you the truth ; 
why I entreat you not to leave him to iiis misery. I loved Harry, and, 
tlioiigh it may be a H.n to love him no\v, I cannot helj> it. 

Alice (aside). Poor giil, i)oor girl ! in every nerve I feel for her, but 
though I would relent, 1 see tlie eyes of my lost Mildred li.\ed on me, 
and i will be stern. 

Lady L. Oh. woman, woman ! how can you be so cold and pitiless to 
me 1 You wi.l return to him ] 

Alice. That can never be. * 

Lady L. I see; you dread that, because of me, you would not again 
be dear to him. Abandon that tear! Ho always soriowed over your 
loss, and his melancholy — wiiile deepened wiien he thought himseit be- 
yond my loving watch — was apparent to others aiound us. His ialhers 
old friend, the dear, kind physician, who tended me wiiiie I was recover- 
ing from tiie shock of your sud.ien return, informed me of the true cause 
of the gloominess I had surj^ised in him. Oil, I have had my load of 
grief, in the thought that he loved you more than me. 

Alice. Is this true"? I need not ask you, for on you face I can rend 
but truth. Tell me more. 

Lady L. That fatal day I came into the room suddenly where he was, 
and found him bending over your ])ortrait. 

.\licr {asii/e). ;\[il(lred s jiortrait ! 

Lady L. Engrossed in the pa^t, he did not notice me ; and I henrd 
hiui mutter of his early love, and wlieu he looked up the tears uere in 
hi.s eyes. 

Alice (aside). Does she speak the truth 1 Can I have b.een decelve.l ? 

Lady L. The very man who guided you to our hajijiy home, was one 
whom Harry had severely beaten because he had been doubling of the 
love which you so wron<rly scorn. 

-Alice (aside). A liaiht breaks in on me! I have been the dni)e of 
that smooth-tongued villain, (alo.td) Lady, do not give up ho|je that all, 
all the past may not be renewed as if never interrupted. 

Lady L. I .see symptoms of relentins on your face. I see you are not 
so hard-hearted as you would have appeared. 

{Voiee of Drummoxd tiff L.) Will you never know wlio I am 1 

Alice. You must uot meet John Diumraond here '. Go into this room 



40 KLOW roU BLOW. 

{to R. D , tvi/h Lady L.) and wait till lie is gone. (exit. Lady L., r. d > I 
iiave been tiie instninient of this man's vengeance so far, but I will turn 
on him like a rod transformed into a serpent in his hand ! (r. c. front.) 

Etiier, Dkummoxd, smoJdiif/ cigar, l. d. 

Drum. Gi)r)d evening, Alice. P.^haw ! ^lildred I mean, {goes up window) 
How the right name will pop out. (sits on balcony. ^^ Let him see that all 
is reachj for the throwing over) It's all right! we shall have the money! 

Alice (aside). He Art* deceived me I He has played on the love Ibear 
for Mildred to gain his bad ends. I thought to do my darling justice, 
and 1 have only inflicted cruel j)aiu on him who treasures her memory 
worthily, and on an innocent girl. 0!i ! (ivnngs her hands.) 

Drum. It's all right! the baronet's coming with the money. 

Alice. Keep your monev ! I want it not ! I'll toucli hone of a. 

Diiu.M. (coinss down c. a little) Hullo, what do you mean? 

Alice. It means, John Drummond, that I know all ! It means that there 
will never be enough time for me to repent tliat you and I ever joined 
hands together to work miscliief. (up c. on Dru.m.mond's r.) 

Dru.m. What foL>rs talk is this 1 Are you mad ? 

Alice. I have recovered my senses. Vour plot is discovered. Our 
compact is at an end. 

Dru.m. (throws aw nj cigar'). Dicovered 1 

Alice. Do you think I shall liave one peaceful moment nfti.r having 
brought the worst sufferings of conscience upon the good and true 7 Can 
I look back on the mise;y I have inflicted, though recalled as soon as I 
saw uiy ex\\n\ and hope there will be no sorrow and pain, no suffering for 
lue! 

Dru.m. You say yon have confessed it all "? 

Alice. A 1 ! And I shall go at once and Iny the whole plot before Sir 
Henry Linden, and implore forgiveness. But where shall I seek for for- 
getfulne.ss % 

Drum. Do yoii think I can let my plans be checked just at the mo- 
ment of tiiumpli ] Because you have grown wenk of purpose, do y »u 
think I am the man to let my schemes be b:'oken off" at the points of suc- 
cess 1 Do you think I will consent to be b-iffled as I am about to secure 
the reward % Alice Petherick, do you believe 1 will let you go to de- 
nounce me ? 

Alice This house is mine. Leave the room, sir. Spare j'our violent 
words. I am not afraid of you. (mnsie.) 

Drum. That we shall soon .see. (seizes Alice. Struggle.) 

Alicb, Release me. Oh, help ! 

Enter, R. n., Lady Linden. 

Lady L. (screams). Oh ! (fidh in a f .tint into chair, r. c.) 
Alice. Help I 

Miter, L. D., JosiAH Craddock. JIc releases Alice atid seizes Drummond. 

Alice. Father! (l. c ^ 

Drum. .Josiah Ci'addock ! (grapples with him.") 

CuAD. Yes villain ! returned to punish you at la«it 

Drum. Take you hands off' my throat ! (Alice runs nlout stoge and to 
r. D , sc earning " Help, help ! murder ! " daring the struggle) I have beaten 
off" a better man than you. (forces Craddock up c. to bidcony) Take your 
hands from my throat ! (on balcony, forces Craddock half over rail.) 



ACT III. 41 

Alice. Oh, help! {opem l. d.) 

JEnter, l. d., Spraggs, and Linden. Linden to r. c , lo attend to Lady 
LiNDKN. Spraggs runs up c, and hits Dkummond, who falls over 
balustrade. Craddock comes down c, and supports Alice, l. c, Dk. 
Grace enters l. d., and goes up to window. 

Alice. Not dead ! (Craddock sits m chair l. c, she kneeling to him.) 

Crad. My poor girl ; 1 was guided here just in time to save you from 
that villain's hands. 

Lady L. {to Linden). Then, Ilarrj', I may love you now 1 

Lin. Lil_y, you must ! 

Dr. G. His fall was broken by the parapet below, and he will get over 
it, after all. 

Spraggs. There's a crowd collecting — and, for a wonder, there's two 
poJicPinen. 

Crad. (to Linden). It was upon Ihe close resemblance between my 
daughters that that villain was enabled to do you such wrong. Mildred, 
alas ! is surely gone — but for me, she lives again in this daughter that I 
still have living. 

Lin. We will go back to Gloucestershire, Lily, and be happy as the 
day is long. 

Alice. And we will go far away to some peaceful, quiet home of our 
own, and, while we look back on the past vrith repentance, we will look 
forward to the future hopefully as well ! {embraces Chaddock. Music.) 

Form picture. 

Spraggs.* * Dr. Grace. 

{tn ivindow.) 
{seated.) (seated.) 

Linden.* * Lady L. Alice.* * Craddock. 



SLOJF CURTAIN. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means Right of Stage, facing the Audience ; L. Left ; C. Centre ; E. C. Right 
of Centre ; L. C. Left of Centre. D. F. Door in the Flat, or Scene runniug across 
the back of the Stay;e ; C. D. F. Centre Door in the Flat ; R. D. F. Right Door in 
the Fhit; L. D, F. Left Door in the Flat ; U. D. Right Door ; L. D. Lelt Door ; 1 E. 
First Enlrance; 2 E. Second Entrance; U. E. Upper Entrance ; 1, 2 or 3 G. First 
Second or Third Groove. 

n. R. C. C. L. C. L. 

B^" The reader is supposed to be upon the stage facing the audience. 



MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 



INSTRUCTION BOOKS 

Stage ^Preparations and .A_coesso- 
ries, etc., etc. 



We are prepared to furnish any of the following and similar articles, promptly 
and at the very lowest prices : 

"Wigs, Mustaches, and Imperials 

of every style, shape and color, for Caucasian, Mongolian or Ethiopian " make up. 

Face Preparations, 

Buch as Prepared Cork for Negro Minstrels, Mongolian Paste for Mulattoes, Indi- 
ans, etc. ; Prepared Whiting for clowns. Statues, etc.; Pencils to trace eyebrows 
•nd veins ; India Ink, and a bright but harmless Lip Rouge. 

Tableau Lights, Colored Fires, 

and all the various articles needed to throw the effects of sunlight, moonlight, 
and flreliglit upon faces, groups or scenery. These are all prepared in such a man- 
ner ae to be entirely harmless. 

Musical Instruments 

of every variety, from the plainest to the most highly ornamented, such as Violins, 
Violoncellos, Piccolos, Flageolets, Fifes, Tamborincs, Bones, Jews' Harps, and 
Mouth llarmonicons. 

Dancing Clogs, Stockings and Caps, 

3r' all shapes, sizes, colors and materials manufactured, and ranging from the very 
lowcst prices upwards. 

Musical Instruction Books. 

Manuals for the Guitar, the Banjo, the Violins, the Accordeon, the Violoncello, 
the CJarionet, Cornopeon, Fife and Drum. 



,^*« For full particulars, list of prices, and descriptions in full of the variou« 
articles above enumerated, send for De "Witt's Mammoth Catalogue, which 
will be forwarded free and postage paid to any address in the United States or 
Canada. Address, 

CLINTON T. DE WITT, 

83 Kose street, New York. 



DE ^WITT'S 

ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMA. 



" Let those laugh now who never laughed before, 
And those who always laughed now laugh the more." 

Nothing so thorough and complete in the way of Ethiopian and Comic Dramas 
ha." ever been printed as those that appear in the following list. Not only are the 
plots excellent, the characters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, 
but a'3 the situations, by-play, positions, pantomimic business, scenery, and tricks 
arc sc plainly set down and clearly explained, that the merest novice could put 
any of them on the stage. Included in this catalogue are all the most laughable 
and effective pieces of their class ever produced. 

#** In ordering, please copy the figures at the commencement of each play, 
which indicate the number of the piece in " De Witt's Ethiopian and Comio 
Drama." 

j;^" Any of the following plays sent, postage free, ou receipt of price— 
15 Cents Each. Address, 

CLINTON T. DE WITT, 

JVb. 33 Rose Street, JVew York.'' 



iW The figures in the columns indicate the number of characters~M. male, 
¥. female. 



No. M. F. 

73. African BoS, burlesque, 2 scene 5 

107. Africanus Bluebeard, musical 

Ethiopian burlesque G 2 

I 4.3. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scene 7 1 
i 79. Barney's Courtship, musical 

' interlude, 1 act 1 1 

43. Bad Whiskey, sketch. 1 scene. 2 1 
C. Black Chap from Whitechapel, 

negro piece. 4 

10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene 3 

11. Black-ey'd William, sketch, 2 

scenes 4 1 

40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene.. 4 
78. Bogus Indian, sketch, 4 scenes 5 2 
89. Bogus Talking Machines (The) 

farce, 1 scene 4 

24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 

scene 2 

108. Charge of the Hash Brigade, 

Irish musical sketch 2 2 

35. Coal Heaver's Revenge, negro 

sketch, 1 scene 6 

41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes... 8 1 

12. Daguerreotypes, sketch, 1 scene 3 
53. Damon and Pythias, burlesque, 

2 scenes 5 1 

&3. Darkey's Stratagem, 1 act.... 3 1 
110. De Black Magician, Ethiopian 

comicality, 1 scene 4 2 

*111. Deeds of Darkne.ss, Ethiopian 

extravaganza, 1 act 6 1 

50. Draft (The), sketch, 1 act 6 

. W, Dufchman's Ghost, 1 scene... 4 1 



Dutch Justice, sketch, 1 s'^ene 11 
Editor's Troubles, farce, I see. (i 

Eh ? What is It ? sketch 4 

Elopement (The), farce, 1 scene 4 
Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene. 10 
Fellow that Looks Like Me, in- 
terlude, 1 scene 2 

Fisherman's Luck, 1 scene.... 2 
First Night (The), Dutch farce, 

1 act 4 

Gambrinus, King of Lager 
Beer, Ethiopian burlesque 2 

scenes 

German Emigrant (The), sketch 



8 1 



2 3 



1 scene 
Getting Square on the Call Boy, 

sketch, 1 scene 

Ghost (The), sketch, 1 act 

Ghost in a Pawnshop, 1 scene, 

Glycerine Oil, sketch. ,.. 

Going for the Cup, interlude.. 
Good Night's Rest, 1 scene. .. 

Gripsack, sketch, 1 scene 

Guide to the Stage, sketch.... 

Happy Couple, 1 scene 2 1 

Hard Times, extravaganza, 1 

scene 5 1 

Hemmed In, sketch 3 1 

High Jack, the Heeler, 1 scene G 

Hippotheatron, sketch 9 

In and Out, sketch, 1 scene... 2 

Jealous Husband, sketch 2 1 

Julius, the Snoozer, 3 scenes : , 7 9 



LE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN! AHD COMIC DRAMA (Ccriintied). 



No. ^ ^M. V. 
103. Katrina's Little Game, Dutch 

act, 1 scene 1 2 

1. Last of the Mohicans, sketch.. 3 1 

36. Laughing Gus, sketch, 1 scene. C 1 

18. Live Injun, sketch, 4 scenes... 4. 1 
GO. Lost Will, sketch 4 

37. Luckj- Job, farce, 2 scenes 3 2 

90. Lunatic (The), farce, 1 scene.. 3 

109. Makinn; a Hit, farce, 2 scenes.. 4 

19. Malicious Trespass, 1 scene.... 3 
96. Midnight Intruder (The), farce, 

1 scene C 1 

lOL Mollie Moriarty, Irish music- 
al sketch, 1 scene 1 1 

8. Mutton Trial, sketch, 2 scenes 4 

44. Musical Servant, sketch, 1 see. 3 
4'-). IJight in a Strange Hotel, ' 

sketch, 1 scene 2 

23. Obeying Orders, sketch 1 scene 2 1 

27. One Hundredth Kightof Ham- 

let, sketch 7 1 

30. One Night in a Barroom, 

sketch 7 

76. One, Two, Three, 1 scene 7 

87. Pete and the Peddler, Negro 

and Irish sketch, 1 scene 2 1 

9. Policy Plaj'ers, sketch, 1 scene 7 
57. Pompey's Patients, interlude, 

2 sci'nes 6 

6,5. Porter's Troubles, 1 scene 6 1 

, 06. Port Wine vs. Jcalousj', sketch 2 1 
ai. Painter's Apprentice (The), 

farce, 1 scene 5 C 

92. Polar Bear (The), 1 scene 4 1 

34. Recruiting Office, sketch, 1 act. 5 

45. Itemittance from Home, 

sketch, 1 pcene C 

105. Kehearsal (The), Irish farce, 2 

scenes 4 2 

55. Rigging a Purchase, sketch, 1 

acene 3 

SI. Rival Artists, sketch, 1 scene. 3 

26 Rival Tenants, sketch 4 

; 15. Sam's Courtship, farce, 1 act.. 2 1 

I 59. Sausage MalierLS 2 scenes 5 1 

80. Scenes on tlie Mississippi, 

2 scenes 6 

21. Scampini. pantomime, 2 scenes 6 3 

HI. Serenade(The),sketch,2 scenes 7 

38. Siamese Twins, 2 scenes 5 

74. Sleep Walker, sketch, 2 scenes 3 

46. Slippery Day, sketch, 1 scene. 6 1 
69. Siiuire for a Day, sketch 5 1 

56. Sia-e-,^truck Cimple, 1 scene.. 2 1 
V2. StrauL^er, l)urlei-que, 1 scene... 1 2 

and 2 chikhvn. 

7. Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 scene 2 

13. Streets of New York, 1 scene . 

36. Storming the Fort, 1 scene 5 

47. Take it, Don't Take It, 1 scene 2 
54. Them Papers, sketch, 1 scene. 3 

100. Three Chiefs (The), 2 scenes ..60 

103. Three A. M., sketch, 2 scenes. 3 1 
34. Three Strings to One Bow, 

sketch, 1 scene 4 1 

2. Tricks, sketch 5 2 

104. TwoAwfuls (The), 1 scene.... 5 
5. Two Black Roses, sketch 4 1 

28. Fivle Epli's Dream, 2 scenes.. 3 1 
62. Vinegar Bitters, sketch, 1 scene 6 1 
32- Wake L'p, William Henry.... o (J 



Ko. M. r. 

89. Wanted, a Nurse, 1 scene 4 

75. Weston the Walkist, Dutch 

sketch, 1 scene 7 1 

03. What Shall I Take ? farce, 1 act 8 1 

£9. Who Died First ? 1 scene 3 1 

97. Who'iJ the Actor? farce, 1 

scene 4 

!JD. Wrong Woman iu the Right 

Place, sketch, 2 scenes 2 2 

85. Young Scamp, slietch, 1 scene. 3 

112. The Coming Man, sketch, 1 act 8 1 

113. Ambition, farce, 2 scenes 7 

114. One Night, in a Medical College, 

sketch, 1 scone 7 1 

115. Private Boarding, comedy, 1 

scene 5 1 

116. Zacharias' Funeral, farce, 1 

scene 5 

117. Motor Bellows, comedy, 1 scene . 

118. Helen's Funny Babies, bur- 

lesque C 



DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS (Continued). 



62. 



Lancashire Lass, melodrama, 5 acts.l3 
Larkins' Love Letters, farce, 1 act.. 3 

L' Article 47, drama, 3 acts 11 

Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts 7 

Life Chase, drama, 5 acts 14 

Living Statue (The), farce, 1 act 3 

Little Annie's Birthday, farce, 1 act. 2 

Little Rebel, farce, 1 act 4 

Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts 6 

Locked In, comedietta, 1 act 2 

Locked In with a Lady, sketch, 1 act. 1 

Locked Out, comic scene 1 

Lodgers ana Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 
Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act.. . 1 

Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 

Maria and Magdalena, play, 4 acts . 8 6 

Marriage at Any Price, farce, 1 act. 5 3 

Master Jones' Birthday, farce, 1 act. 4 2 

Maud's Peril, drama, 4 acts 5 3 

Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 2 

Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 2 

Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 2 

Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 2 

Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 3 

Mr. Scroggins, farce, 1 act 3 3 

Mr. X., farce, 1 act 3 3 

My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 1 

My Wife's Diary, farce, 1 act 3 1 

My Wife's Out, farce, 1 act 2 2 

My Walking Photograph, musical 

duality, 1 act 1 1 

Never Reckon Your Chickens, etc., 

farce, 1 act 3 4 

New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 5 

Nobody's Child, drama, 3 acts 8 3 

Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 4 

No Name, drama, 5 acts 7 5 

Not a Bit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 3 

Not So Bad as We Seem, play, 5 acts. 14 3 

Not Guilty , drama, 4 acts 10 6 

Not Such a Fool as He Looks, drama, 

3 acts 5 4 

Nothing Like Paste, farce, 1 act 3 1 

No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts and 

prologue 13 6 

Off the Stage, comedietta, 1 act. ... 3 3 

On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act... 1 2 

Only a Halfpenny, farce, 1 act 2 2 

Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 2 

One too Many for Him, farce, 1 act. 2 3 

£100,000, comedy, 3 acts 8 4 

Orange Blo-soms, comedietta, 1 act. 3 3 
Orange Girl, drama, in prologue 

and 3 acts 18 4 

Ours, comedy, 3 acts 6 3 

Our Clerks, farce, 1 act 7 5 

Our Domestics, comedy farce, 2 acts 6 6 

Our Heroes, military play, 5 acts. . .24 5 
Out at Sea, drama in prologue and 

4 acts 16 5 

Overland Route, comedy, 3 acts 11 5 

Peace at Any Price, farce, 1 act 1 1 

Peep o' Day, drama, 4 acts 12 4 

Peggy Green, fane, 1 act 3 10 

Petticoat Parliament, extravaganza, 

in one act 15 24 

Photographic Fi.x, farce, 1 act 3 2 

A COMPLETE 



M. T. 



No. 

61. Plot and Passion, drama, 3 acts 7 2 

138. Poll and Partner Joe, burlesque, 1 

act 10 3 

110. Poppleton's Predicaments, farce, 13 6 

50. Porter's Knot, drama, 2 acts 8 2 

59. Post Boy, drama, 2 acts 5 3 

95. Pretty Horse-Breaker, farce, 1 act.. 3 10 

181 and 182. Queen Mary, drama, 4 act8.38 8 

157. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act. . . 5 2 
196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic op 

eretta, 1 act 1 1 

132. Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 

183. Richelieu, play, 5 acts 16 2 

38. Rightful Heir, drama, 5 act8 10 2 

77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 4 

13. Ruy Bias, drama, 4 acts 12 4 

194. Rum, drama, 3 acts 7 4 

195. Rosemi Shell, travesty, 1 act, 4 

scenes 6 3 

158. School, comedy, 4 acts 6 6 

79. Sheep in Wolfs Clothing, drama, 1 7 5 

37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act 3 2 

35. Silent Woman, farce, 1 act 2 1 

43. Sisterly Service, comedietta, 1 act.. 7 2 
6. Six Months Ago, comedietta, 1 act. 2 1 

le. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act. . 1 1 

26. Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 5 

78. Special Performances, farce, 1 act. . 7 3 
31. Taming a Tiger, farce, 1 act 3 

150. Tell-Tale Heart, comedietta, 1 act. . 1 2 

120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act. 2 1 
146. There's no Smoke Without Fire, 

comedietta, 1 act 1 2 

83. Thrice Married, personation piece, 

lact 6 1 

42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts.. 7 3 

27. Time and Tide, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 7 5 

1,33. Timothy to the Rescue, farce. 1 act. 4 2 
153. 'Tis Better to Live than to Die, 

farce, 1 act 2 1 

134. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce, 13 2 

29. Turning the Tables, farce, 1 act .... 5 3 

168. Tweedie's Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 2 

126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act 6 3 

56. Two Gay Deceivers, farce, 1 act 3 

123. Two Polts, farce, 1 act 4 4 

198. Twin Sisters (The), comic operetta, 

lact 3 1 

162. Uncle's Will, comedietta, 1 act 2 1 

106. Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act. 6 2 

81. Vandyke Brown, farce, lact 3 3 

124. Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 6 

91. Walpole, comedy, 3 acts 7 2 

118. Wanted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 3 

44. War to the Knife, comedy, 3 acts. ..54 
105. Wbicbofthe Two? comedietta, lact 2 10 

98. Who is Who? farce, 1 act 3 2 

12. Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 4 

5. William Tell with a Vengeance, 

burlesque 8 2 

136. Woman in Red, drama, 3 acts and 

prologue 6 

161. Woman's Vows and Mason's Oaths, 

4acts 10 4 

11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce, 2 4 4 

54. Young Collegian (Cantab.), farce, 1 3 3 
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



of PE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS AND DE WITT'S 
ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS , containing Plot, Costume, Scenery, 
Time of Representation and every other information, mailed free and post paid. Address, 
ROBERT M. DE WITT, 33 Rose Street, New York. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
±JJ^ \\ ± ± g g^^ ^58 564 1 

ACTING PLAYS. 



RECENT ISSUES. 



No. M. F. 

201. School for Scandal, comedy, 5 

acts 15 4 

202. Eileen Oge, drama, 4 acts 11 3 

203. She Stoops to Conquer, comedy, 5 

acts 14 4 

204. Drawing Room Car, Petite Com- 

edy, 1 act 2 1 

205. Circumstances Alter Cases, comic 

operetta 1 1 

206. Hair Apparent (The), farce, 1 act, 5 1 

207. Sold Again, comic operetta, 1 act 3 1 

208. Married Bachelors, comedietta, 1 

act 3 2 

209. Othello, tragedy, 5 acts 16 2 

210. Mabel's Manoeuvre, Parlor Inter- 

lude 1 3 

211. Honesty is the Best Policy, 1 act, 2 

212. London Assurance, comedy, 5 

acts 9 3 

213. The Widow, comedy, 3 acts 7 6 

214. Turn Him Out, farce, 1 act 3 2 

215. Still Waters Run Deep, comedy, 

3 acts 8 2 

216. My Neighbor's Wife, farce, 1 act, 3 3 

217. Poor Pillicoddy, farce, 1 act 2 3 

218. Naval Engagements, farce, 1 act. . 4 2 

219. Chimney Corner (The), domestic 

drama, 2 acts 5 2 

220. The Two Buzzards, farce, 1 act. . 3 2 

221. Slasher and Crasher, farce, 1 act, 5 2 

222. Cool as a Cucumber, farce, 1 act, 3 2 

223. Betsy Baker, farce, 1 act 2 2 

224. His Last Le^, farce, 2 acts 5 3 

225. Ici on Parle Prancaise, farce, 1 act 3 

226. Box and Cox, farce, 1 act 2 1 

227. The Omnibus, farce, 1 act 5 2 

228. The Loan of a Lover, vaudeville, 

lact •. 4 1 



No. M. T. 

229. Sarah's Young Man, farce, 1 act, 3 3 

230. Family Jars, musical farce, 2 acts 5 2 

231. All that Glitters is not Gold, 

comic drama, 2 acts 6 3 

232. Tale of a Shark, musical comic 

monologue 1 

233. A Kiss in the Dark, farce, 1 act. . 2 3 

234. A Morning Call, comedietta, 1 act 1 1 

235. To Oblige Benson, comedietta, 1 

act 3 2 

236. My Turn Next, farce, 1 act 4 3 

237. A Regular Fix, farce, 1 act 6 4 

238. Trying It On, farce, 1 act 3 3 

239. Limerick Boy, farce, 1 act 5 2 

240. Drunkard's Doom, drama, 2 acts, 15 5 

241. Handy Andy, drama, 2 acts 10 3 

242. Dumb Belle, farce, 1 act 4 2 

243. Irish Lion, farce, lact 8 3 

244. Irish Tutor, farce, 1 act 5 2 

245. Thumping Legacy, farce, 1 act... 7 1 

246. High Life Below Stairs, farce, 1 

act 9 5 

247. Rough Diamond, farce, 1 act 6 3 

248. Cricket on the Hearth, fairy tale 

of home, 3 acts 8 7 

249. Marriage, a Lottery, comedy, 2 

acts 3 4 

250. More Blunders than One, farce, 1 

act 4 3 

251. Ticket of Leave Man, drama, 4 

acts 9 3 

252. Idiot Witness, melodrama, 3 acts 7 2 

253. Lend Me Five Shillings, farce, 1 

act - 5 2 

2.54. One Too Many, farce, 1 act 4 2 

255. Quiet Family, farce, 1 act 4 4 

256. Sweethearts, a dramatic contrast, 

2 acts 2 2 



The Great Premium Offers for Subscribers, 

AND A COPY OF THE PAPER, 

"THE HOME FIRESIDE," 

Sent Free on Application. 

THE HOME FIRESIDE is one of the largest and best Weekly papers in the 
world. Only One Dollar a. Year in advance, postage paid. 

1^^ Send at once a postal card, with your address, and receive by return mail, a 
copy of the paper and a premium list, free of cost and free of Dostage. 

It offers great chances to agents and others. Address 



CLINTON T. 



DE WITT, Publisher, 
33 Rose Street, New York. 



